Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says he’s looking forward to facing “really interesting” Sheffield United for the first time.
The two sides meet at Bramall Lane in the Premier League lunchtime kickoff on Saturday. The Reds are in the best form in the country, having won all six league matches this season. Counting last term they have won their last 15.
So it will be a tough test for the Blades, but Klopp is full of praise for opposite number Chris Wilder and the way his team plays.
“It’s incredible what Chris is doing there. I’m looking forward to meeting him for the first time,” the German said in the pre-match press conference.
“It’s really interesting what they do. In the system they play it’s really aggressive, good pressing.
“Then of course when they have the ball they have this interesting pattern where the centre halves overlap.
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“I’m four years in England so I don’t know everything about the clubs historically, but it seems to be a big club.”
Respect between Liverpool and Sheffield United bosses is mutual
Klopp and Wilder have both been complimented in recent times for their tactical innovations. Therefore it should perhaps come as no surprise that the respect goes both ways.
Wilder is also a fan of his upcoming opponent, telling the Sheffield Star: “Jurgen is a manager I can look up to, 100 per cent.
“There are all sorts of different aspects in successful managers but I love his connection with his players. There’s a genuine affection from him for them, and vice versa as well.
“I love his personality and the connection between staff and players there is huge. And that goes into the fan-base as well.”
Now it remains to be seen who will come out on top in South Yorkshire in front of the BT Sport cameras. For the Blades, this is certainly their biggest challenge yet since earning promotion back to the top flight for the first time in 12 years.