Jurgen Klopp has played down Liverpool’s favourites tag ahead of the UEFA Super Cup and says Chelsea deserve ‘respect’ ahead of the tie.
Champions League winners Liverpool meet Europa League holders Chelsea on Wednesday night, the Premier League rivals vying to lift the first European silverware of the new season.
Chelsea began their Premier League campaign with a disappointing 4-0 defeat at Manchester United on Sunday, with many tipping Liverpool to prove too strong for Frank Lampard’s new-look side.
Reds boss Klopp insists his side ‘respect Chelsea a lot’, and has played down the European champion’s tag as favourites for the clash.
“I didn’t know everybody expected us to win tomorrow,” Klopp said at his pre-match press conference.
“No problem what people think around us. We respect Chelsea a lot. If you saw the result versus United you’d have no idea how the game was.”
Podcast: The Hotel California of Football Clubs https://t.co/SmMa05HbPB
— The Football Faithful (@FootyFaithful_) August 14, 2019
Liverpool’s hopes have been further boosted by an additional two days rest, having beaten Norwich City 4-1 in their Premier League opener on Friday.
Despite the advantage of two added days recovery, Klopp insists opponents Chelsea will be ready as the duo compete to lift the trophy.
“Chelsea will be 100% ready and we have to be. We have to ignore what others say — and that’s what we do, actually,” he added.
“If people think Chelsea aren’t a challenge then I can’t help these people.”
Can you beat our writers in Fantasy Premier League? Join our league now to find out by using this code: m7yqqi
Read: Klopp and Lampard delighted to witness ‘historic moment’ as Frappart set to officiate UEFA Super Cup
See Also: Five Premier League players who could still be offloaded before the European transfer window closes