Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has heaped praise on Antonio Conte and backed the Italian to achieve success at new club Chelsea.
The 47-year-old won the Serie A title in all three of his seasons in charge of Juventus, before stepping aside in 2014 to manage national side Italy.
Conte has hit the ground running at Chelsea, winning three and drawing one of his first four league games at the helm, and Klopp admits that he has plenty of admiration for his opposite number ahead of Friday night's meeting at Stamford Bridge.
"He looks quite emotional, even when they don't score. Obviously he is involved in the game, but that's not the most important thing," he told reporters. "The very important thing is he is a great manager, something like the 'Pep Guardiola of Juventus' if you want.
"He created their special type of play and had a very successful time there and with the national team. It is quite impressive what he has done until now, but I don't play against Antonio Conte.
"They were champions two years ago and then had a difficult year and they changed their manager. Last season was not a Chelsea season and now they are back on track, so we need to be ready for a real challenge."
Liverpool have also made a positive start to their own league campaign under Klopp by taking seven points from the first 12 on offer.
Daniel Lewis
