Jurgen Klopp: Why my respect for Arsenal’s Arsene Wenger increases every day

Jurgen Klopp says his respect for Arsene Wenger increases every day ahead of Liverpool’s clash against Arsenal at Anfield on Wednesday night.

The Reds manager is contending with an injury crisis following the loss of Dejan Lovren and Philippe Coutinho, who have joined an every-growing list of casualties.

Klopp, who was named as Brendan Rodgers’s successor following the Merseyside derby in October, has only won five of his opening 12 Premier League games in charge of Liverpool.

Liverpool host Arsenal on Merseyside on Wednesday as Klopp’s men look to close the 12-point gap on the current Premier League leaders.

Speaking at his pre-match media conference at Melwood training ground on Monday afternoon, Klopp explained why he has more respect for Wenger than ever since taking over at Anfield.

JK: "One thing is always the same [with Arsenal], they are a good football playing team." #LFC

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 11, 2016

JK: "My respect [for Arsene Wenger] goes up day by day. It's really intensive to work in the Premier League." #LFC

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 11, 2016

Liverpool have lost four of their last 12 Premier League games since Klopp took over the reins from Rodgers.

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The Reds suffered a 2-0 loss to West Ham United in their most-recent league game.