Arne Slot has hailed Pep Guardiola as the best manager in the world ahead of Liverpool's top-of-the-table clash with Manchester City on Sunday.
The Reds are eight points clear of the reigning champions at the summit and could stretch their lead to 11 points over Guardiola's side, who are winless in six games.
However, Slot, who has previously named the Spaniard as his lodestar, still believes the 53-year-old is the managerial benchmark.
He said: "One of the reasons why I think Pep Guardiola is the best manager in the world is that he always comes up with solutions for his problems
"And his problem now might be that Rodri is out. We all know he will come up with a solution and they will go again. But hopefully after Sunday."
City became the first top-flight champions to lose five games in a row in 68 years after last Saturday's stunning 4-0 defeat to Tottenham at the Etihad.
Since Rodri ruptured his ACL in September, The Citizens have conceded the most big chances in the Premier League.
But Slot, whose side has won 17 from 19 games this season, is expecting his counterpart to contrive a solution.
He added: "I wouldn't be suprised if he comes up with another brilliant idea. I think he was the one who started playing with an inverted full-back. Then he was the one who started to play the centre-back as a number six.
"So I don't think it's a suprise for anyone if he again comes up with something that no one has come up with before to make his team even stronger.
"That's one of the reasons why he inspires so many managers around the world. If there's anyone in this managerial world who can come up with something new, it's definitely him."
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Slot on injuries: 'It's not a good sign'
Defenders Ibrahima Konate and Conor Bradley are both doubts for Sunday's game at Anfield after the pair sustained late injuries in the 2-0 win against Real Madrid on Wednesday night.
The right-back appeared to pull his hamstring with minutes remaining, while the France international limped off the pitch at full-time after a challenge from Endrick.
Slot said: “They are still being assessed so it’s difficult to say where they are in terms of the injuries.
“Let’s wait and see but it is never a good sign if players, Conor, I had to take him off and Ibou didn’t walk off the pitch as he should have after such a fantastic game that he played. He should have made a round [of the pitch] and clapped the fans but unfortunately he couldn’t so that’s not a good sign.
“They are still being assessed and it is so close after the game yesterday night, and I just came off the training pitch. So, I can’t tell you exactly where they are, so we have to wait and see where they are this weekend and after that.”
The Liverpool manager insisted it is too early to discuss Caoimhin Kelleher's future after the goalkeeper recorded back-to-back Champions League clean sheets.
The Ireland international saved a penalty from Kylian Mbappe in the 60th minute as he continued to impress in the absence of Alisson Becker.
However, the 26-year-old is expected to leave the club at the end of the season in order to become first-choice elsewhere.
Slot said: "I'm expecting every player to want to be the No.1, not only the goalkeeper, it's up to the player if they accept their role. “He's accepted his role from the start to now, when he plays and even when he didn't, it's too early to think about next season.
“I want every player to want to play every season. It would be wrong if he would have come to me and said, 'I like it that I'm on the bench today', it's normal, it's about the attitude if you don't play."
