Jurgen Klopp delivers verdict on Sam Allardyce ahead of Liverpool v West Brom
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has warned his table-toppers to be wary of West Brom on Sunday as he predicts a tough encounter against Sam Allardyce’s struggling side.
Four points clear of their nearest challengers in the Premier League, Liverpool host the Baggies on Sunday in what is expected to be a mere formality for Klopp and his charges.
However, Klopp has dismissed the notion of an easy game, as Liverpool Echo’s Paul Gorst reports from his pre-West Brom conference, “Of course, it’s [a] tricky one.
“We analysed it this morning and it’s a mix of Everton when Sam was there and what I expect is a tough opponent.
“Always tough vs his teams. West Brom will go for a proper fight.
“Sam is a specialist for this type of fight. A tough game.”
Allardyce the Anfield bogeyman?
While Klopp has always had the superior team on paper when facing Allardyce, it hasn’t always been straightforward for him.
Their head-to-head record stands at two Klopp wins, three draws and a single victory for Allardyce, per transfermarkt.
That’s a rather underwhelming 1.50 points per game for Klopp, and it is the one defeat to Allardyce that takes on much more significance in the context of Liverpool’s Premier League record at Anfield.
The Reds are currently unbeaten in 66 home Premier League games, a run that stretches all the way back to April 23 2017, when Crystal Palace, managed by none other than Baggies boss Allardyce, upset the odds to record a shock 2-1 victory.
A repeat of that scoreline looks like a difficult task for Allardyce, given the Baggies travails this season, particularly on the road, with their only Premier League victory of the season coming at home to winless Sheffield United.
He will, however, be sure to draw on his previous experiences against Klopp and remind his players that a positive result is achievable.
Fellow strugglers Fulham proved that recently when they held Liverpool to a 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage on December 13.
After the trip to Merseyside, West Brom host Leeds United on December 29, in a meeting of the two sides automatically promoted from the Championship last season.
In other West Brom news, Allardyce reveals what could hurt the Baggies as they attempt to strengthen their squad in the transfer window.
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