Jurgen Klopp has always held Arsene Wenger in high esteem – but since his arrival to the Premier League as Liverpool boss, that appreciation has gone up a notch.
The two managers were pitted against each other several times in the UEFA Champions League when the German was Borussia Dortmund manager.
As they prepare to face one another for the first time in the Premier League, Klopp spoke of his admiration,for the Arsenal manager now he knows how tough English football is, as reported by the Independant
My respect goes up day by day because it’s really intensive to work in the Premier League, especially in a team with international matches (for their players) too.
He had always my biggest respect but now it’s a little bit bigger since I’m here. That’s really a brilliant job he’s done – 19-and-a-half years.
Klopp’s Dortmund met Arsenal in the Champions League group stages in 2011, 2013 and 2014 when it seemed impossible for them to be separated.
Wenger beat the former Mainz manager three times and Klopp managed two, the other meeting finishing in a draw.
The Liverpool boss said he is in the top bracket of managers in the game.
He’s a high-quality manager, one of the best in the world for sure. This long period, it’s really rare that you can do this but he did. He’s a football maniac, in the best (sense of the word).
It was always a challenge to play against him and again a challenge that I’m looking forward to.
