Liverpool
manager Jurgen Klopp believes Chelsea are being overlooked as serious
contenders for the Premier League title.
Klopp's side will face Chelsea twice in four days this week, hosting them in
the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night, live on Sky Sports, before travelling to
Stamford Bridge to face them in the Premier League on Saturday evening.
Liverpool have made a perfect start to the season, winning six from six, but
Chelsea sit just two points behind them, in joint second alongside
Manchester City.
It is Klopp's Liverpool side that most view as the most likely contenders to
topple champions City, but the German is surprised that Chelsea have not
featured more in the discussion.
Klopp said. "I know that people always are talking about - I don't know
exactly why - Man City being clear or us being champion at the end of the
season or whatever but they completely forgot Chelsea.
"This team is experienced. They have won the title already, 80 per cent
probably twice and they know how it works.
"That is a really good group, a really strong football team."
Chelsea's strong start to the season is made more impressive by the fact
Maurizio Sarri did not take over as manager until July 14, following Antonio
Conte's protracted departure.
That gave him limited time to implement his philosophy - which Klopp is a
big fan of - with key players such as Willian, Olivier Giroud, N'Golo Kante
and Eden Hazard among the late arrivals back to training following the World
Cup.
But Chelsea have so far shown no ill effects from their shortened pre-season
and Klopp has been impressed with the Blues' displays.
"It is the biggest change of system I ever saw in such a short period of
time," Klopp admitted. "Wow. Style completely [changed]. What a manager he
is.
"I am a supporter of him since I saw them playing at Naples. That was
outstanding football and now he is doing it with a very interrupted
pre-season, without a lot of players involved.
"Okay, Chelsea were maybe a bit fortunate with their players but Eden
[Hazard] was not involved or [Olivier] Giroud so a few players were out.
"Starting the season, you see immediately the impact. [He has] all my
respect. It is really good to watch.
"Good job so far, I have to say."
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