Jurgen Klopp reveals talks with old pal Rafa Benitez but insists there will be no room for sentiment when Liverpool take on Newcastle
- Liverpool travel to Newcastle in the Premier League on Sunday
- Jurgen Klopp knows Rafa Benitez 'better than most Premier League managers'
- He insists all friendship will be put aside at St James' Park this weekend
Jurgen Klopp has revealed he spoke with Rafa Benitez during the summer ahead of Liverpool's trip to Newcastle on Sunday.
The German claimed he knows the former Liverpool boss 'better than most of the other Premier League managers.'
Benitez, who won the Champions League during his six-year tenure at Anfield, has yet to taste defeat against his former club since leaving in 2010.
Jurgen Klopp and Rafa Benitez will come face-to-face again in the dugout on Sunday
The two managers embrace ahead of Liverpool's 2-2 draw with Newcastle in April 2016
But Klopp insists that friendship will play no part when the two meet in the dugout at St James' Park this weekend.
Klopp said: 'I met Rafa once when he was manager of Liverpool. We beat them 5-0 at Mainz! The rest is history.
'Hopefully he remembers that! The big success. We met meanwhile 10-15 times in different occasions and it was always really nice. He's a very interesting person and we always had a good time.
'He's still connected to the club, and wishes the club all the best - how it should be after his fantastic time here.
Klopp looks on from the bench during Liverpool's 1-1 draw with Spartak Moscow
Benitez won the Champions League in 2005 during his six years in charge at Anfield
'Even in the summer we had talks. I know him better than most of the other Premier League managers. It's nice, but no impact on the game!'
Klopp revealed that Nathaniel Clyne and Adam Lallana have stepped up their injury recoveries.
The Liverpool boss also had his say on attempts made by TV companies to move their trip to Arsenal to Christmas Eve, saying: 'I really cannot imagine that anyone wants to watch football on that night.'
The Reds are strongly opposed to their December 23 clash at the Emirates Stadium being put back 24 hours.
But he conceded: 'If the supporters want to see a game on Christmas Eve, then the TV broadcaster will find a way.'
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