The Reds’ first-leg victory put them in the driving seat in the race for a semi-final spot, but Klopp has warned if City replicate their first-half performance from the Manchester derby at the weekend, nothing is guaranteed but fireworks.
“I saw the game at the weekend and it was one of the best first halves I ever saw. It was like a thunderstorm,” he said.
“Okay in the second half they [United] changed the game. After the first goal, one team gains rhythm, another team loses rhythm.
“We have scored six or seven goals a few times and City can do it.”
Klopp dismissed the label of Liverpool as favourites ahead of the second leg at The Etihad tonight.
“The boys knew after the game [at Anfield] this is half-time. It was the same at half-time at Anfield – the game is not over,” he said.
“We were in the lead, nothing else. We are still in the lead but we didn’t win yet. We need a little bit more from this game.”
Klopp was handed a boost when Mohamed Salah got through a second training session last night at Melwood since straining his groin in the first leg without any apparent problem.
The Egyptian looks certain to be in the matchday squad although Klopp says he will delay a decision on whether he starts until this morning Andy Robertson, who has been struggling with a calf niggle, also came through last night’s session yet Liverpool still have concerns elsewhere with skipper Jordan Henderson suspended.
Gigi Wijnaldum will play at the base of the midfield flanked by James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Liverpool will also draw comfort from seven clean sheets in their last 10 matches.
Klopp insisted yesterday attack will be the most effective form of defence with just one goal needed to ensure Manchester City need to score five times to reach the semi-final.
“We are in a 3-0 lead. That is better than I would have expected. If you had told me 10 days ago that this was possible, I would have said, ‘Don’t think so’. But that’s how it is,” he said.
“I am not putting pressure on ourselves. We are so close.
“If you defend at your best, it gives you the opportunity to win the game. You don’t need to score 15. With one goal, you can win it. That is exactly the plan.”
City boss Pep Guardiola, meanwhile, has demanded perfection from his side heading into the second leg.
“Of course to go through we have to make almost the perfect game, create chances, be clinical, defend well and concede few chances,” he said. “All the conditions have to be perfect.
“Getting the result is tough but we have 90 minutes to do it and in football, like all sports, everything can happen. What we are going to do is try.
“We have to score the first one, make the second one and then we’ll see the momentum. That can happen in the Champions League.”
