Jürgen Klopp insists Liverpool’s preparations for today’s FA Cup third-round tie with Plymouth Argyle have not differed in any way to other matches this season.

The Reds welcome the Pilgrims to Anfield this afternoon for the encounter, with the boss aware his side can’t allow for any complacency against the League Two club.

He wrote in his column in ‘This is Anfield’: “Today it is a cup match and not a Premier League game that we focus on, but the level and intensity of our focus does not change.

“It is no exaggeration to say the level of preparation for the match today is identical to any of our Premier League fixtures this season or other cup fixtures, such as the semi-final games we have coming up in the EFL Cup. In some respects the preparation will be more detailed because we have more time to do so.

“What is certain is that our approach to facing Plymouth today will be that this is our most important game of the season. Why? Because it is our next game. This is our attitude and it has to be. The players have shown all season they understand this and believe in the approach.

“As soon as it was confirmed that we play Plymouth I knew we would be in for a very tough game and a difficult task to get through. The TV cameras are here today showing this match and they are not here because the rest of the football world is hoping for an LFC win.

“I know how the world is and that people are hoping for a story to emerge from today. I experienced this last season; it was my first experience of the FA Cup as a manager in this country. We got Exeter away and as soon as the tie was confirmed members of my backroom staff, who have been working in English football for many years, told me it would be a big battle.

“They were right. We had to fight to draw in Exeter and then win the replay back at Anfield. Not that I needed a reminder of how football can be, but it certainly proved that the true beauty of this game is that on any given day you can win a match or lose it, regardless of your status. This is why football is the greatest game on the planet. It is also why our attitude needs to be perfect today.”

Pick up your copy of 'This is Anfield' at the stadium today, or subscribe online by clicking here.