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Arsenal’s Emery is a top manager, says Liverpool boss Klopp
LONDON, Nov 2, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp says Arsenal
boss Unai Emery has proved himself as a top manager as the two coaches
prepare to go head to head for the first time since the 2016 Europa League
final.
Emery, then in charge at Sevilla, got the better of Klopp in the final in
Basel, with his side coming from behind to win 3-1, and subsequently won the
French league title with Paris Saint-Germain.
The Spaniard’s arrival at Arsenal as a replacement for Arsene Wenger
earlier this year was not met with universal approval from fans after some
underwhelming results in the Champions League with a star-studded PSG squad.
But Klopp believes Emery has won enough in his career — three successive
Europa League titles and five major trophies at PSG — to warrant the respect
his current 13-match unbeaten run deserves.
“All people in football knew how good he is but I am not sure all Arsenal
fans were over the moon at first when they heard it would be Emery,” said
Klopp.
“But that’s England a little bit, you want the poster boys. Unai was in
France and before that in Spain in a smaller club, so you can go a bit under
the radar.
“Not for all the people in football, though. I saw yesterday that he won
eight titles in two or three years. That’s pretty big.”
Klopp, whose side are level on points with Manchester City at the top of
the Premier League, dismissed the suggestion that Emery produced a tactical
masterclass to get the better of his side in the second half of their Europa
League final encounter.
“You’re giving managers a bit too much credit if you think we have that
much influence. He couldn’t defend (against) us in the first half. We had to
help with that by missing our chances,” he said.
“They won, we lost, that’s already history,” he added.
Klopp’s record against Arsenal since arriving in England is impressive. He
has never lost against the Gunners, with three wins and two draws from five
matches.
The fixture has a history of high scores, with the past nine Premier
League matches bringing 42 goals.
“It doesn’t look like that will change. They score a lot of goals and are
really good offensively,” said Klopp.
“We have to see how this game will develop. With two very offensive-
orientated teams it can often happen. It doesn’t have to — we saw in the
Manchester City game (a goalless draw) that, but it is possible at least.”
Klopp will still be without midfielders Jordan Henderson and Naby Keita,
who are not likely to be in contention for a recall until next weekend.
BSS/AFP/BZC/2000HRS