Klopp: ‘I couldn’t have more respect for what Bielsa is doing to be honest’

Jurgen Klopp opened up on his respect towards Marcelo Bielsa ahead of Liverpool’s season opener against Leeds United in the Premier League.

Klopp and Bielsa will face each other for the first time in the Premier League, having guided Liverpool and Leeds respectively to title success last season.

Bielsa, in particular, has won countless plaudits for transforming Leeds into a Premier League club once more. He did so in impressive fashion, leading the Whites to the Championship title last season.

The former Argentina boss’ high-pressing style has also won its fair share of admirers at Elland Road, with Klopp among them.

But while eager to compare notes with his Leeds counterpart, he admitted his limited Spanish skills may hinder him.

“My Spanish is pretty random,” the Liverpool boss told Football Daily.

🗣"I"d love to have a conversation with him which would be nice, but my Spanish is not so good apart from ordering a beer!" 🍻 🤣

🗣"The style they play will suit them even more in the PL!"

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp on facing Leeds & Marcelo Bielsa pic.twitter.com/Dz0j99E06W

— Football Daily (@footballdaily) September 11, 2020

“I’d love to have a conversation with him which would be nice, but I don’t speak Spanish apart from ordering a beer and I don’t know how his English is meanwhile.”

“So that’s a bit of a shame, but apart from that I just couldn’t have more respect for what he is doing to be honest.”

“What a guy. The team, the style, how they play will suit them even more for the Premier League than for the Championship one hundred percent.”

“They can be and will be very very uncomfortable to play against.”

Liverpool and Leeds will meet at Anfield on Saturday afternoon, with kick-off set for 18:30 (CEST).