Germany star Klostermann launches charm offensive before meeting with Liverpool

RB Leipzig and Germany defender Lukas Klostermann has hailed Liverpool as 'one of the best teams in Europe' ahead of the two sides' pre-season meeting.

The Reds take on the Bundesliga giants in Leipzig on Thursday evening, with both sides continuing to ramp up their preparations for the new season. The game itself will see a number of familiar faces be reunited.

Former Leipzig stars Naby Keita and Ibrahima Konate will travel back to their former club, whilst ex-Premier League players such as Ademola Lookman, Alexander Sorloth, Angelino and even former Reds goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi could also all be in contention.

Having been a teammate of both Keita and Konate with the German giants, Klostermann has admitted that he is looking forward to being reunited with the pair and has hailed the Reds for the way they have established themselves on both the domestic and European front over the past few years.

Speaking with Leipziger Volkszeitung, he 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."

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A huge reason behind the Reds' success recently has been Jurgen Klopp. The German schemer arrived at the club back in October 2015 and he has since led them to their first Premier League title, the Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup and a host of other honours.

Klopp has also re-established the connection between supporters and players at Anfield, an element that Klostermann has recognized having seen Domenico Tedesco do the same in Germany.

He continued: "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."

Leipzig will certainly be aiming to do better during their friendly clash than in their two prior meetings with the Reds. The teams were paired during the 2020/21 round of 16.

Liverpool won the first leg 2-0 with Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane getting on the scoresheet. The second-leg went very much the same way - the pair scoring once again to seal a 4-0 aggregate victory.

Jurgen Klopp's men went on to reach the quarter-finals of the competition but came unstuck against Spanish giants Real Madrid.