Jürgen Klopp believes Pep Guardiola’s attendance at Anfield during Liverpool’s 4-1 victory over Stoke reflects the respect the Manchester City manager has for his New Year’s Eve opponents.

There was a sense that Guardiola, dressed in a heavy overcoat and Breton cap, had hoped to have completed his rare scouting mission unrecognised but Klopp was aware of his presence after receiving a text message from Michael Edwards, Liverpool’s recently appointed sporting director.

Liverpool approach Saturday evening’s encounter a point ahead of City and a goal difference of plus five after knocking four past Stoke in response to Jonathan Walters’s early opener for the visitors.

“I’m not sure whether he [Guardiola] has watched a lot of games in the last few weeks of other teams in other stadiums,” Klopp said. "That’s the first sign it’s a special game and we are already looking forward to it. It will be difficult for both teams but exciting. The best thing is, it’s at Anfield. They are an outstanding side. We are not too bad. It will be a nice game.”

After Adam Lallana’s equaliser, Roberto Firmino fired Liverpool into the lead against Stoke. The Brazilian was charged with drink driving offences on Christmas Eve and is due to appear in court on the day Liverpool face Chelsea at Anfield next month. Klopp did not consider dropping the player, however. “Honestly, he was the best man in training so there was no chance to leave him out, no chance,” Klopp reasoned. “He trained outstandingly.”

Klopp was satisfied with the manner of Liverpool’s victory. An own-goal by Giannelli Imbula in the second half was followed by Daniel Sturridge’s first league goal since April. The England striker is now amongst Klopp’s considerations for a starting berth when Liverpool face his former team, City.

Liverpool vs Stoke player ratings Show all 23 1 /23 Liverpool vs Stoke player ratings Liverpool vs Stoke player ratings Liverpool 0 Stoke 0 Who impressed as Liverpool were held to a goalless draw by relegation-threatened Stoke City at Anfield? Getty Liverpool vs Stoke player ratings <b>Liverpool:</b> Loris Karius – 6 out of 10 Barely tested. Reuters Liverpool vs Stoke player ratings Joe Gomez – 6 out of 10 Looked a little shaky in the first half but improved after the break. Getty Liverpool vs Stoke player ratings Virgil van Dijk – 6 out of 10 As reliable as ever at the back for the Reds. Getty Liverpool vs Stoke player ratings Ragnar Klavan – 6 out of 10 Could’ve had an assist if Nathaniel Clyne had connected better with his header from the Estonian’s super cross. Reuters Liverpool vs Stoke player ratings Alberto Moreno – 6 out of 10 Almost opened the scoring with a 20-yard effort in the second half and was generally good going forward. Getty Liverpool vs Stoke player ratings Trent Alexander-Arnold – 6 out of 10 Should’ve scored in the first half when Mo Salah played him through on goal. Getty Liverpool vs Stoke player ratings Jordan Henderson – 5 out of 10 A disappointing display by the Reds skipper, who picked up a worrying ankle injury in the first half. Getty Liverpool vs Stoke player ratings Gini Wijnaldum – 6 out of 10 Shone in midweek but he was ineffective here. Getty Liverpool vs Stoke player ratings Mo Salah – 6 out of 10 One of his poorest displays in a red shirt. Getty Liverpool vs Stoke player ratings Roberto Firmino – 6 out of 10 Always looking to make something happen but, like most of his teammates, he was a little off today. Getty Liverpool vs Stoke player ratings Danny Ings – 5 out of 10 Had the ball in the net in the first half but was correctly flagged offside. Getty Liverpool vs Stoke player ratings <b>Stoke City:</b> Jack Butland – 6 out of 10 Looked nervy in the first half. Getty Liverpool vs Stoke player ratings Kurt Zouma – 7 out of 10 Put in a solid display at right-back in the injury-enforced absence of Glen Johnson. Getty Liverpool vs Stoke player ratings Ryan Shawcross – 7 out of 10 Produced a marvellous sliding tackle in the closing stages to deny James Milner a shot on goal. Getty Liverpool vs Stoke player ratings Bruno Martins Indi – 6 out of 10 Forced off with a groin injury shortly after half-time. Getty Liverpool vs Stoke player ratings Erik Pieters – 6 out of 10 Caught out of position to give Mo Salah a goal-scoring chance but the Egyptian spared him with a poor finish. Lucky to get away with a handball in the box late on. Getty Liverpool vs Stoke player ratings Xherdan Shaqiri – 5 out of 10 Didn’t feature much. Getty Liverpool vs Stoke player ratings Joe Allen – 7 out of 10 Shrugged off an injury at the start of the second half and turned in a disciplined midfield display. Getty Liverpool vs Stoke player ratings Papa Ndiaye – 6 out of 10 Not the most technically proficient player but he was full of running, Reuters Liverpool vs Stoke player ratings Moritz Bauer – 6 out of 10 Created Stoke’s best opening when his cross was headed wide by Mame Diouf. Getty Liverpool vs Stoke player ratings Mame Diouf – 6 out of 10 Had a good chance in the first half but could only find the side-netting with his header. EPA Liverpool vs Stoke player ratings Peter Crouch – 6 out of 10 Even he couldn’t stretch far enough to turn the ball home from a Xherdan Shaqiri cross in the first half. Getty

Primarily, though, Klopp was determined to talk about Liverpool’s ability to overcome the emotional setback of Stoke’s early domination.