Liverpool vs Arsenal: Jurgen Klopp declares Gunners qualify as title contenders

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp believes Arsenal has become a real title contender after recruiting "unbelievable" new players.

The only two teams to have 100% Premier League records this season will face Anfield on Saturday.

Gunners boss Unai Emery could mark the occasion with a first start for club record rookie Nicolas Pepe after giving his home debut to David Luiz and the impressive Dani Ceballos in the win. 2-1 last weekend against Burnley.

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Kieran Tierney and young striker Gabriel Martinelli have also joined the North London team, leaving Klopp "no doubt doubtful" that Arsenal is stronger than last season.

"They have recruited incredible talent this summer," Klopp wrote in the official Liverpool day program.

"That's one of the reasons I did not like the pre-season" outdoor "goal being to focus on two clubs competing for the honors this season.

"For me it did not make any sense, it's a complete nonsense if you do not consider this Arsenal, with this manager, as one of the best teams in the country."

"They have everything they need to keep the distance and I think that's why we are in such an exciting season in the Premier League.

"The good news for me and the staff here in Liverpool is that our players do not need to remember today that they face a world class opponent."

Arsenal finished fifth of last season, 27 points behind Liverpool, second.

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The Reds started the new campaign with a 4-1 win over Norwich City, followed by a 2-1 win at Southampton.

The Gunners had a good start to the season – their first under Emery – after a loss to Manchester City and Chelsea for a winning victory that seemed to have placed them in the title race in the fall.

They managed to tie the game with a 1-1 draw against Liverpool in the UAE in November, prompting many critics to admit that the team had eliminated some of the vulnerability that had threatened them under Arsène Wenger.