CONTE
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has described Antonio Conte
as the "Pep Guardiola of Juventus".
The former Juve and Italy manager has already impressed
at Chelsea after guiding the club to 10 points out of a possible 12 at the
start of the new Premier League campaign.
Klopp was quick to acknowledge the quality of Conte as a
coach, as he prepares his own side for Friday's mouth-watering clash at
Stamford Bridge, which will be shown live on Sky Sports 1.
"He looks quite emotional, even when they don't score.
Obviously he is involved in the game, but that's not the most important
thing," Klopp said.
"The very important thing is he is a great manager,
something like the 'Pep Guardiola of Juventus' if you want.
"He created their special type of play and had a very
successful time there and with the national team. It is quite impressive
what he has done until now, but I don't play against Antonio Conte."
The Blues already look capable of challenging for the league
title under Conte and Klopp believes the London club are now back to their
best after a disappointing league campaign last season.
"They were champions two years ago and then had a
difficult year and they changed their manager," he said.
"Last season was not a Chelsea season and now they are
back on track, so we need to be ready for a real challenge."
Liverpool enter the match on the back of a 4-1 victory
over Leicester last Saturday.
Klopp's side dominated the match - their first at Anfield
this season - to claim a deserved three points against last season's Premier
League champions.
Chelsea, meanwhile, will be looking to bounce back from a
frustrating 2-2 draw with Swansea on Sunday.
Diego Costa scored both goals for the Blues that afternoon
and Klopp is wary of the threat posed by the Spain international.
"He's world class," Klopp said. "If other
supporters love you that's not a good sign. He's a warrior on the pitch and
uses his body [well]. He was nearly unstoppable against Swansea."
Klopp is also looking forward to the prospect of Liverpool's
first Friday night match of the new season.
"Friday night is one of the best moments to play
football. Let's go for it," he said.
The former Borussia Dortmund boss confirmed that Dejan Lovren
has recovered from an eye injury and is available for selection, although Emre
Can and Mamadou Sakho are both ruled out due to a lack of match fitness.
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