Eddie Howe admits he has plenty of respect for Liverpool counterpart Jurgen Klopp but the Newcastle United chief has explained why he cannot be friends with the German.
The Magpies finished ahead of the Anfield side last season as Howe oversaw the North East outfit's return to the Champions League, securing a top four finish. Meanwhile, Liverpool ended the campaign in fifth and now face the prospect of Europa League football for a season.
The two sides will have aspirations of being in the Champions League next term and they face one another at St James' Park this Sunday in a 4.30pm Premier League kick-off.Having both played two games each so far this campaign, Liverpool remain unbeaten on four points so far, while the Magpies have a win and a defeat to their name in the very early stages of this season.
The Sunday clash is the game of the day in the top flight and, while by no means defining, any victor will have a slight early advantage in the quest for being back in the Champions League next season.
Prior to the encounter, Howe admits he has plenty of respect for what Klopp has achieved in his career, which has seen him win both the Premier League and the Champions League at Anfield.But despite this respect, Howe admits he is not friends with Klopp or any other manager for that matter, admitting that the intense competition that football brings means it is impossible for him.
Speaking in the pre-match press conference ahead of the clash, Howe said: “I don't really have a relationship with any manager, I'm competing against them. I find it very difficult to have personal relationships with competitors. I've been the same as a player.
“I was not one to talk to players before a game. I draw a line, and so that is just how I have always been. I respect Jurgen a lot. I think he's done an incredible job. He's an unbelievable football manager but I draw the line at friendships because they don't exist for me.”
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