Praise from opposition managers has flooded in for the Premier League leaders, but Jurgen Klopp places more value on his squad’s opinion of themselves
Walter Mazzarri was unequivocal; Liverpool – not Chelsea, Manchester United nor Arsenal – are the best team Watford have faced this season. The Italian, powerless to prevent the attacking gust of Jurgen Klopp’s side in a 6-1 blitz prior to the international break, declared the Merseysiders “No. 1 on my list for winning the Premier League.”
Two months earlier, Antonio Conte’s description of the division’s pacesetters was opposite yet equal. Before Liverpool authoritatively swaggered to a 2-1 victory at Stamford Bridge, he correctly predicted they were “the worst possible team to play now.”
Preceding that statement, Arsene Wenger had admitted the Gunners were “completely shocked” during a 15-minute period on the opening weekend of the campaign when Klopp’s men had their backs up and boots on Arsenal’s throats.
Jose Mourinho, meanwhile, didn’t need to detail his admiration for Liverpool to the press given it was obvious in his tactical design. The most expensively assembled United squad in history arrived at Anfield on October 17 with a focus on frustrating the hosts, but not the ambition of flooring them.
As flattering as opposition managers have been on Liverpool’s imposing start to 2016-17, Klopp believes the real gold is what his squad think of themselves.
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