What was Jurgen Klopp thinking with this Jose Mourinho dig ahead of Chelsea vs. Liverpool?

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Jurgen Klopp, it seems, just can’t help a dig at one of his Premier League rivals Jose Mourinho ahead of Chelsea’s visit of Liverpool on Saturday.

Speaking in the pre-match press conference ahead of the weekend’s bout at Stamford Bridge, the German coach has had the following to say about his Portuguese counterpart and his prickly reputation.

“I’m full of respect for his work. If you’re not a referee or a journalist he can be a nice guy,” Klopp began, as per Goal.

“During the game we are both emotional but we are professionals, everything is fine between us.

“When I was in Germany Mourinho and I sometimes sent messages. I have respect for his work. He’s a nice guy.”

Saturday’s fixture will surely be a tense affair, with Klopp still looking for his first Premier League victory and Mourinho’s position looking perilous after a nightmarish start to the season.

Indeed, should the Blues lose, it remains to be seen how long the Portuguese coach could hold on to his job, having lost against West Ham United last weekend and Stoke City in the Capital One Cup in midweek.

Are Klopp’s comments just friendly chiding, or is the German coach looking to stoke the fires and heap more pressure on his rival ahead of the weekend’s fixture.

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“In history, it was a great game. Now it’s ninth vs 15th,” Klopp continued, “and we have a chance to improve our own situation and not think to much of the opponent.

“It is a big match but I have been in this job for 15 years and had plenty of big matches.

“It is a match we can win, like any other, and that’s all I think about.”

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