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Jurgen Klopp has admitted he is at a loss to explain why Arsenal star Mesut Ozil is on the receiving end of so much criticism.

Ozil once again came under fire for his display in last week's 1-0 defeat to Stoke, with Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard branding the Germany international a "liability" away from home on analysis duty for BT Sport.

The Gunners playmaker's languid style attracts plenty of critics when Arsenal are struggling, but Klopp, who welcomes the Londoners to Anfield on Sunday, is not one of them.

(Image: Jan Kruger/Getty Images)

Klopp defended his compatriot, saying: "I remember the 3-3 game we played here. If Arsenal play that day without Ozil and (Olivier) Giroud, we win 3-0. He is an outstandingly skilled boy.

"I don’t watch Arsenal often enough to have the right to have an opinion about it, but if people are not happy with him, I don’t know why.

"He is quality, there is no doubt in Germany about the quality of Mesut Ozil.

"Germany in his position are really blessed with a lot of world-class or close to world-class players and he is a fix the German national team, so that should be a sign because Jogi Low sticks to the players he is successful with, but not when there are other players who offer more.

"So he was always a very, very important player for Germany, he won the World Cup with Germany (in 2014) so I don’t know why people give him the criticism.

"We will analyse what Arsenal did in the last two games, after that I can say maybe, OK, Mesut was involved in one or two defensive situations (against Stoke), but I don't know to talk about it in public."

Liverpool will be looking to make it three straight Anfield wins when they host Arsene Wenger's side, having secured their Champions League qualification against Hoffenheim on Wednesday after beating Crystal Palace 1-0 last Saturday.