Klopp hails Sarri for Chelsea transformation  

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has heaped praise on Maurizio Sarri for his tactical intelligence and bright start to life at Stamford Bridge. The German is awestruck by the impression Sarri has had on Chelsea in such a short span of time and has added that he is a big fan of the Italian mastermind.

Sarri replaced Antonio Conte earlier in summer and has earned plaudits for his expansive, free-flowing football philosophy. This season, the Blues have scored 14 goals in six matches so far. They are two points behind Liverpool, who have started the 2018-19 campaign with a 100% record.

Although the squad underwent a transition in terms of playing style, structure and approach, Sarri and co. have amassed 16 points from their matches in the league. The same has come as a shock to Klopp, who’s team lock horns with the Pensioners in the Carabao Cup in midweek.

'The biggest change I ever saw in such a short space of time, wow,' he said. 'The style is completely different. What a manager he is, to be honest.”

Klopp expounded on this matter further:

'I'm pretty much a supporter of his since I saw [his teams] at Napoli. Outstanding football, and now doing it in a very interrupted pre-season [due to the World Cup]. Eden [Hazard] was not there, [Olivier] Giroud, [N'Golo] Kante. Starting the season and you see immediately the impact? All my respect. It’s really good to watch. Good job so far.'

According to the former Borussia Dortmund manager, Chelsea have what it takes to be champions of England.

'People were always talking about City being clear and completely forgot Chelsea. This team is really experienced. It won the title before, 80 percent [of the players] won it twice, and they know how it works. That’s a really strong football team.'

Chelsea lock horns with Liverpool twice in four days. First, they take on the league leaders in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, before hosting them at the Bridge on Saturday.