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JUR JOKING

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp laughs off interview with Maribor sporting director ahead of Champions League clash

The Reds will face Maribor on Tuesday after drawing 0-0 against Manchester United in the Premier League

JURGEN KLOPP laughed off an interview with Maribor’s sporting director which questioned whether the German is actually a top manager.

And Liverpool’s boss quipped: “It sounds like I am a charismatic, funny, loser. Thank you for that. No comment.”

 Jurgen Klopp laughs during the pre-match press conference
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Jurgen Klopp laughs during the pre-match press conferenceCredit: AFP or licensors

Yet Klopp was not initially smiling as the quotes were read out from Slovenia’s all-time top scorer Zlatko Zahovic, who played for Porto and Benfica and is clearly something of a legend in these parts.

Earlier, Zahovic, 46, said: “Klopp is a coach with a big charisma, a great coach. But the fact the media and fans love him maybe is not a good sign because that kind of coach doesn’t win many trophies.

“The coaches like Mourinho, Conte and Capello are successful but are 50-50 with the fans.”

As the verdict came little more than 48 hours after Klopp’s side were left frustrated by Mourinho’s Manchester United, the accusation  he is an inferior coach to the  Special One would have irritated Klopp.

 Georginio Wijnaldum, Roberto Firmino, James Milner and Emre Can look in high spirits during training
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Georginio Wijnaldum, Roberto Firmino, James Milner and Emre Can look in high spirits during trainingCredit: AFP or licensors
 Egyptian ace Mohamed Salah warms up ahead of the group stage fixture
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Egyptian ace Mohamed Salah warms up ahead of the group stage fixtureCredit: AFP or licensors

Zahovic may have a point as, right now, no one can put Klopp in the same bracket as either Mourinho or Conte — certainly in terms of Premier League achievements.

The Anfield chief may have plenty of goodwill with his supporters but he really cannot afford another disappointing result tonight against a team they  should beat comfortably.

Liverpool have yet to win in Group E, after draws with Sevilla and Spartak Moscow, and they have managed just one victory in eight Champions League games.

Klopp’s team should still reach the last 16 and back-to-back matches against Maribor will help.

 Jurgen Klopp's side face Maribor on Tuesday
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Jurgen Klopp's side face Maribor on TuesdayCredit: AFP or licensors
 Philippe Coutinho during training in Slovenia on Monday
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Philippe Coutinho during training in Slovenia on MondayCredit: Reuters

He played a straight bat when asked whether it is a must-win game — but this is absolutely the case.

Klopp still insists his team should be delighted with the home draw against United, when they were clearly the better team.

He added: “We have to remind ourselves  it was a good performance because the result did not show it.

“Yes, we need to be confident. Yes, we need to be brave. Yes, we need to be concentrated against a typical top team from a European league. We must not think about the last game any more.

 German shot-stopper Loris Karius is expected to start in goal for Liverpool
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German shot-stopper Loris Karius is expected to start in goal for LiverpoolCredit: AFP or licensors
 The group stage fixture will be the first competitive encounter between Maribor and Liverpool
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The group stage fixture will be the first competitive encounter between Maribor and LiverpoolCredit: AFP or licensors

“We have to be very, very good and get a result. Not to think we have it already.

“We will not rotate and,  maybe, there will be only one or two changes.

“We’ve lost only one game — against Manchester City — and 99.9 per cent of teams in the world would lose to them.”

 The Maribor fixture will be the second of three in eight days for Jurgen Klopp's squad
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The Maribor fixture will be the second of three in eight days for Jurgen Klopp's squadCredit: Reuters
 The Liverpool players appear to be enjoying themselves ahead of Tuesday's game
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The Liverpool players appear to be enjoying themselves ahead of Tuesday's gameCredit: Reuters

Maribor, currently second in their league, have previously played Chelsea, Spurs, Wigan and Birmingham in Europe, but this is the first time they have taken on Liverpool.

Their manager is ex-Leeds chief Darko Milanic, who was in charge of the Yorkshire club for just 32 days in 2014 before being sacked.

He said: “This will obviously be a very difficult game.”

 Mahamed Salah and Emre Can warm up together on Monday
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Mahamed Salah and Emre Can warm up together on MondayCredit: AFP or licensors
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