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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Charlotte Coates

'Only nuances decide' - RB Leipzig defender makes Liverpool admission before friendly

RB Leipzig defender Lukas Klostermann has given his praise to Liverpool and believes they are 'one of the best teams in Europe' as the two sides prepare to do battle in a pre-season friendly on Thursday.

Both Liverpool and Leipzig will continue to ramp up their preparations for the new season in Germany this evening. It will be a special match for Reds pair Naby Keita and Ibrahima Konate, who will be reunited with their former club at the Red Bull Arena.

Klostermann was a team-mate of both Keita and Konate and the German international has admitted he is relishing the chance to play against them. The centre-half has also hailed Liverpool for the way they have established themselves on the European stage in recent years.

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Speaking with Leipziger Volkszeitung, Klostermann said: “I don’t have that much contact with them [Keita and Konate] anymore, but I’m happy to see them again.

“I think Liverpool have one of the best teams in Europe. There are five or six teams at the top that are of the same level, and only nuances decide. We can look forward to a great game, also to see where we are at the moment.”

Klostermann spoke of his admiration for Liverpool's German manager, Jurgen Klopp, saying: “He conveys a lot of emotion. I think that can give a team that certain kick. But we also have a coach who puts his heart and soul into it and also shows his emotions during the game. I think that’s great. That can tickle out the last percentages in a team.”

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