Klopp's energy key to Liverpool's success  Hodgson

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Ahead of Crystal Palace's trip to Anfield, Roy Hodgson has praised the energy and passion of his Liverpool counterpart Jurgen Klopp.

Jurgen Klopp's enthusiasm to buy into Liverpool and what the club means to the city is the key reason for his success on Merseyside, says Roy Hodgson.

Liverpool's hopes of having their first Premier League title wrapped up with a win over Hodgson's Crystal Palace on Wednesday were dashed after the Reds drew 0-0 with rivals Everton on Sunday and nearest rivals Manchester City thrashed Burnley 5-0 a day later.

The runaway league leaders looked far from their best after the enforced three-month break due to coronavirus, though they need just five points to secure the title.

And Hodgson, who managed Liverpool in 2010-11 before being replaced by Kenny Dalglish, has credited Klopp's passion as one of the driving factors in the Reds' title charge.

"I think his personality, his energy and his enthusiasm have been a massive ingredient at Liverpool," the Palace coach told a media conference.

"I think the way he's worked so hard to embrace the culture and make himself aware of not only what Liverpool football club is to the city of Liverpool and how the whole city of Liverpool functions.

"I think he's done a fantastic job in that respect. And then of course he's brought to the club all of the skills that he had at Borussia Dortmund, all of the things that have made him into a really, really top-class coach.

"He's brought those skills with him and they were the reason why Liverpool went to him in the first place and ask him to be the manager of the club. So, when Liverpool lift the title this year, I think that's going to be a remarkable accolade for him and for all the players. 

"I would be surprised if he didn't himself acknowledge the fact that he's got the backing that he needed, he deserved, and it's come up trumps because he's produced the title which has been 30 long years in the waiting."

Palace won three straight league matches before the suspension of the season in March, and picked up where they left off with a 2-0 triumph over Bournemouth on Saturday, leaving them ninth, four points behind the top six, with Hodgson looking forward to taking on the best the Premier League has to offer.

"You relish facing Liverpool or Man City, not because it's going to be an easy game because it proves to you that you are at the very top level of football," he said.

"These are the flagships of our league, you relish playing against them because it means you're still there and you've given yourself a chance of getting result. We know we are playing against a team that has won the league this year deservedly so."

Klopp's energy key to Liverpool's success  Hodgson

Ahead of Crystal Palace's trip to Anfield, Roy Hodgson has praised the energy and passion of his Liverpool counterpart Jurgen Klopp.

Jurgen Klopp's enthusiasm to buy into Liverpool and what the club means to the city is the key reason for his success on Merseyside, says Roy Hodgson.

Liverpool's hopes of having their first Premier League title wrapped up with a win over Hodgson's Crystal Palace on Wednesday were dashed after the Reds drew 0-0 with rivals Everton on Sunday and nearest rivals Manchester City thrashed Burnley 5-0 a day later.

The runaway league leaders looked far from their best after the enforced three-month break due to coronavirus, though they need just five points to secure the title.

And Hodgson, who managed Liverpool in 2010-11 before being replaced by Kenny Dalglish, has credited Klopp's passion as one of the driving factors in the Reds' title charge.

"I think his personality, his energy and his enthusiasm have been a massive ingredient at Liverpool," the Palace coach told a media conference.

"I think the way he's worked so hard to embrace the culture and make himself aware of not only what Liverpool football club is to the city of Liverpool and how the whole city of Liverpool functions.

"I think he's done a fantastic job in that respect. And then of course he's brought to the club all of the skills that he had at Borussia Dortmund, all of the things that have made him into a really, really top-class coach.

"He's brought those skills with him and they were the reason why Liverpool went to him in the first place and ask him to be the manager of the club. So, when Liverpool lift the title this year, I think that's going to be a remarkable accolade for him and for all the players. 

"I would be surprised if he didn't himself acknowledge the fact that he's got the backing that he needed, he deserved, and it's come up trumps because he's produced the title which has been 30 long years in the waiting."

Palace won three straight league matches before the suspension of the season in March, and picked up where they left off with a 2-0 triumph over Bournemouth on Saturday, leaving them ninth, four points behind the top six, with Hodgson looking forward to taking on the best the Premier League has to offer.

"You relish facing Liverpool or Man City, not because it's going to be an easy game because it proves to you that you are at the very top level of football," he said.

"These are the flagships of our league, you relish playing against them because it means you're still there and you've given yourself a chance of getting result. We know we are playing against a team that has won the league this year deservedly so."

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