“He is one of the best”- Pochettino lauds Jurgen Klopp ahead of Liverpool vs Chelsea

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino talks about Jurgen Klopp ahead of Liverpool game

Newly appointed Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino took time in his pre-match press conference ahead of the season opener against Liverpool on Sunday to talk about the Reds’ gaffer Jurgen Klopp.

Both teams start this season on the back of tough domestic campaigns last time around. The Reds finished fifth and settled for a Europa League spot, while Chelsea under three different managers throughout the entire campaign, finished a fortuitous twelfth place in the league. However, the new season is one of promise. Speaking highly of Klopp in his pre-match conference, here is what Poch had to say:

“He is one of the best, he was so nice when I left Tottenham, one of the best messages. He’s doing a great job with Liverpool. Good and bad periods but they really believe in him and give him the best tools to create a good team to fight for every title.”

Pochettino’s comments about Klopp are not surprising, given the mutual respect that the two managers have for each other. Klopp has previously praised Pochettino’s work at Tottenham, saying that he is “one of the best managers in the world”.

Off the field, Liverpool and Chelsea see themselves involved in a transfer race for two young midfielders: Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia. Both players are regulars on the transfer radar of both clubs, and only time will tell who will come out on top in the race to sign them. The saga, currently, is one laid with twists and turns. At the moment, Liverpool’s club-record bid for Caicedo holds no value given the Ecuadorian’s interest to move to Chelsea.

Poch and Klopp

As for the game itself, Liverpool will be looking to start the season on a positive note and build on their strong finish to last season. The Reds have made two signings over the summer bringing in Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai.

It will be interesting to see how Pochettino sets up his Chelsea team for the game against Liverpool. The new Chelsea manager has hinted that he will take a youthful approach for the Premier League opener. That does not come by as a shock given the recent influx of young players at Stamford Bridge.

As Liverpool prepare to face Chelsea in their season opener, it is clear that both teams will be looking to start the new campaign on a positive note. The Reds might have it a bit tough though, given our unfinished midfield scenario.

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Pochettino’s comments about Klopp highlight the mutual respect that the two managers have for each other, and it will surely be interesting to see how the game unfolds on Sunday.