
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has warned his players they ‘have to be ready’ for a stern test against Leeds United in their Premier League opener.
The Reds rounded off their pre-season with a resounding 7-2 victory over Blackpool at Anfield on Sunday.
It has been a short but productive pre-season for the Premier League champions with games against Salzburg (2-2), Stuttgart (3-0) and Arsenal in the Community Shield (1-1, penalties: 4-5).
Saturday’s first game presents a new challenge for Klopp though against a Leeds side who will be playing their first top-flight match for 16 years.
Managed by mercurial Argentine Marcelo Bielsa, the Liverpool boss is very wary of the unique threat posed by the newly-promoted West Yorkshire outfit.
“We have to make sure we now get ready for the first game against Leeds because that will be a really tough one,” said Klopp.
“Leeds have a specific style of play, man-marking over the whole pitch and makes it proper intense.
“We have to be ready for that but we have a few days.
“Hopefully all the other boys now stay healthy in the international games, then they come back and we have three days to work together on that.
“It was the best pre-season we could have had because we cannot compare and nobody will give us a different one.”
Saturday will be Klopp’s first Premier League match against Leeds, having beaten all other 28 teams he has faced in the division since taking charge in 2015.
Both sides have superb recent opening day records in the top flight, with Liverpool unbeaten in their last seven while Leeds have not lost in 12 opening day games.
Saturday’s match at Anfield is live on Sky Sports, kick off 5.30pm.
