Jurgen Klopp will likely be afforded a fiery St James' Park welcome when Liverpool face Newcastle United in a potentially crucial top-four clash. The Magpies currently hold a nine-point lead over the Reds, albeit the visitors on Saturday night do hold a game in hand.
Liverpool are still the only side to beat Newcastle in a top-flight fixture this term, with Fabio Carvalho netting a controversial injury-time winner in a 2-1 victory in August. However, it has otherwise been a troubled campaign on Merseyside, with Klopp's side currently sat ninth in the table.
Newcastle's rapid emergence as a 'Big Six' rival has led to the club becoming a talking point at press conferences of rival managers. Klopp has praised Eddie Howe's work with the Magpies so far, but also made headlines with his comments on Financial Fair Play and United's newfound spending power.
READ MORE: Newcastle breakthrough may lead to Financial Fair Play bonus as well as stadium development
Here is a look at everything Klopp has had to say about Newcastle so far this season.
August 31, 2022 - Newcastle look to give Liverpool a 'bloody nose'
Speaking ahead of the Anfield clash in August, Klopp hailed Newcastle's revival under Howe and spoke of their ambition to upset the Premier League's established elite.
"Tonight we face an opponent who are probably the most improved team in the Premier League this year. I have always respected and admired Eddie Howe and the job he is doing at Newcastle United is brilliant. It should not surprise anyone either.
"It has been clear that Eddie has a philosophy, a way of playing and a way of working that would benefit whichever club he works for. Newcastle made a good decision to appoint him and it is paying off.
"We saw the best of his team in the recent draw against Man City which showed how aggressive they can be with the ball and how creative they can be even against a side with the quality of Man City. I know I will not be alone by being impressed with the football Newcastle are playing and I would expect them to be especially motivated for this fixture because when you are ambitious it makes sense to give a bloody nose to clubs who usually finish above you."
August 31, 2022 - 'Perfect' response to Newcastle timewasting
Fabio Carvalho scored a last-gasp winner after the miniumum of five minutes added time, and Klopp believed it was just reward in response to Newcastle's perceived timewasting.
"You said it. We scored tonight in 90+8. It's the perfect response to that [Newcastle time-wasting] to be honest. I am really happy about that."
October 14, 2022 - Newcastle have 'no ceiling'
When asked about the challenge of again competing with Manchester City following the arrival of Erling Haaland, Klopp highlighted the spending power of the champions along with Newcastle and Paris Saint-Germain.
"You have the best team in the world and you put in the best striker on the market, no matter what it costs, you just do it. I know City will not like it, nobody will like it. You've asked the question but you know the answer.”
"What does Liverpool do? We cannot act like them. It is not possible. Not possible. It is just clear and again you know the answer. There are three clubs in world football who can do what they want financially. It's legal and everything, fine, but they can do what they want. They will say 'yeah but we have...' but it's exactly the fact.
"I heard now that at Newcastle somebody [sporting director Dan Ashworth] said 'there is no ceiling for this club'. Yes! He is right. He is absolutely right. There is no ceiling for Newcastle. Congratulations, but other clubs have ceilings."
December 30, 2022 - Newcastle are a 'massive contender'
Klopp was asked about the top-four battle following the World Cup break, and he admitted Newcastle's rise had already upset the dynamic at the top of the table.
“We all knew that Newcastle would be a massive contender from now on, and it’s clear with Man United, Arsenal playing an exceptional season, all respect for that, City is City, so all of a sudden you have four teams occupying, Tottenham fighting hard, Chelsea still there,” said Klopp.
“We are back to a top six or top seven, if you like, and only four can make it. We know that absolutely. The quality of the opponents is obviously clear, but most of the things we can still sort ourselves.
“If they win all the time, we cannot get closer, but we meet some of them, and, for us, we are under pressure like other teams are under pressure, because it’s not the nicest thing to have us three or five points behind you. That doesn’t give you any kind of security, but we better play a special second half of the season to have a chance to make it to the Champions League, which is obviously our target.
January 2, 2023 - 'We cannot play like Monopoly'
Klopp could not hide his frustration after being asked who would be next to sign after Cody Gakpo, and his comments were seen to be a follow-up to his 'no ceiling' jibe three months prior.
"I am now here seven years and it is every window is pretty much the same; we talk about these things as though money didn't play a role.
"It is never like this. We sign an outstanding player like Cody Gakpo and then you read about the next player. We cannot play like Monopoly. Of course we cannot just spend and never could.
"It is a big part of my philosophy, working full of faith and trust with the players we have and not constantly telling them we need another player in the position. It is clear that you need real quality in all positions and two teams with the same level that you can rotate but people are surprised when we say we cannot start splashing the cash.
"If there is something we can do and that means right player and financial situation, we will do it."
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