Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has expressed his admiration for Chelsea counterpart Maurizio Sarri and stressed that the Blues are strong contenders for the Premier League title.
Following their appointment of Sarri over the summer as successor to Antonio Conte, Chelsea have have taken 16 points from a possible 18 in the Premier League so far this term – two fewer than leaders Liverpool.
The two clubs meet at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, three days after playing each other at Anfield in the third round of the Carabao Cup.
At his pre-match press conference on Tuesday, Klopp said when asked about Sarri: “It is the biggest change of system I ever saw in such a short period of time. Wow. Style completely (different). What a manager he is, to be honest.
“I’m pretty much a supporter of him since I saw them playing at Naples (Sarri’s Napoli team). That’s outstanding football, and now (he is) doing it in a very interrupted pre-season, without a lot of players involved – Eden (Hazard), (Olivier) Giroud – and starting the season, and you see immediately the impact.
“All my respect. It’s really good to watch. Good job so far.”
He added: “I know that people always were talking, and I don’t know exactly why, about (clubs) being champion at the end of the season, whatever, and completely forgot Chelsea.
“This team is experienced. They won the title already – I’m not sure, but 80 per cent of them probably twice, and they know how it works. So that’s a really good group, a really strong football team.”