Jurgen Klopp admits his side cannot win by trying to dominate the ball

Liverpool cannot compete with Arsenal if they try to match Arsene Wenger's possession-based game-plan, Jurgen Klopp has admitted.

The Barclays Premier League leaders travel to Anfield on Wednesday for what looks to be a potential banana skin in their journey to end a 12-year wait for a league title, but Klopp said his team are not in the same league as Arsenal when it comes to dominating the ball.

The German revealed that his respect for Wenger has increased since he took the Liverpool job and experienced the unique demands of English football, with its Christmas fixture congestion and strength in depth throughout the top flight.

Premier League leaders Arsenal head to Anfield to take on Liverpool on Wednesday night

While Klopp has nothing but admiration for his French counterpart and his stylish team, he suggested that Liverpool would have to resort to more pragmatic tactics to claim the three points.

'Arsenal and Arsene have their own style, it's possession football, so it's clear that if we want to play the same way we will be without a chance because they've been doing it for longer,' Klopp said.

'Arsenal are not only a good possession team, that's the problem, they have good counter-attacks too and that's what you have to be aware of.

'It's a job but it's a really nice job to think about solutions and how to stop them coming through with their plan. I like things like this.'

Klopp added: 'Absolutely my respect (for Wenger) goes up day by day because it is really intensive working in the Premier League. He always had my biggest respect but it's bigger since I was here. He has done a brilliant job.

'He is a high-quality manager – one of the best in the world. It's a challenge to play against him.'

The German admits that his respect for Arsene Wenger has increased since he moved to England

Klopp is taking heart from the Capital One Cup semi-final win over Stoke as he prepares to face Arsenal

Klopp is facing his toughest week at Liverpool since taking charge in October last year, with the Arsenal game closely followed by the visit of their fierce rivals Manchester United on Sunday afternoon.

Liverpool took a point from their visit to Arsenal back in August - a match played under former boss Brendan Rodgers - in a goalless draw where both sides pushed hard for the win.

But Klopp is taking heart from last week's battling Capital One Cup semi-final first-leg victory at Stoke City, where Jordon Ibe grabbed the winning goal, and he looks set to repeat those more defensive tactics when Wenger's side visit.

'First of all it's a big challenge to play clubs like Arsenal and Manchester United but if we showed something in last few weeks it's that we have a plan against good football-playing teams,' said the 48-year-old boss.

'Arsenal – together with City – are the two best teams at this moment in the Premier League and to stay in a good position against Man City they need all the points.