Liverpool face Leeds this week, and Jurgen Klopp has respect for Garry Monk from his time at Swansea.
Garry Monk and Jurgen Klopp managed in the Premier League at the same time for just over a month last season, but they did manage to cross paths.
Klopp’s Liverpool beat Monk’s Swansea City 1-0 through a James Milner penalty, and the German was impressed with their opponents.
Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp
Monk now has a second crack at beating Klopp this week, when his Leeds United side visit Anfield.
Klopp did not buy into criticism of Monk at the time, and hit out at his detractors.
He was quoted by The Mail: “Not so much surprises me to be honest, but I would say I’d be surprised if it is the right decision to criticise him because this team plays very well. They showed a good reaction from the last results.
“I’m not sure what Swansea wanted to reach before the season starts but for this team I see no problem in the league. They will play a good role in the rest of the season I’m sure.”
Former Swansea City Manager Garry Monk
Klopp did not see coming what would later transpire. Monk was fired a couple of weeks later, and Swansea City have struggled to replace him.
Monk took a job at Leeds United in the summer and overcame an initial wobble early in the season.
The Whites are into fifth position in the Championship table, and the EFL Cup quarter-final against Liverpool is the icing on the cake.
Klopp and Monk have some idea of what to expect from each other, and the former Bundesliga winner will know his side are in for a difficult game at Anfield on Tuesday night.
Leeds boss Garry Monk
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