Jurgen Klopp wants Liverpool to give Rafa Benitez no favours

While Liverpool are welcoming former manager Rafa Benitez back to Anfield this weekend current manager Jurgen Klopp wants the Reds to give him no favours.

Jurgen Klopp appreciates what Rafa Benitez means to the Liverpool fans. The Spanish manager won the Champions League in his first season at the club as well as the FA Cup in 2006, another European Cup final in 2007 and a title challenge in 2009.

His success on the pitch was matched by his connection to the fans. He has always been a strong supporter of the ‘Justice for the 96’ Hillsborough campaign; attending memorials and giving money even after he left the club.

So it is not surprise that Klopp would herald his predecessor as a ‘Liverpool legend’. But that does not mean that he wants to give any favours to his Newcastle side this weekend.

In today’s pre-match press conference the manager mentioned how Liverpool threw away a 2-0 lead the last time Newcastle came to Anfield at the end of the 2015/16 season. I am sure the manager will also have in mind the 1-1 draw at St. James’ Park earlier on in the season.

Much has changed at Anfield since Benitez’ last visit. On that day in April 2016, players such as Connor Randall, Kolo Toure and Kevin Stewart started. The team will have a very different feel on Saturday with only Roberto Firmino guaranteed to start from those who took the field two years ago.

In typical fashion, Rafa Benitez has no intention of rolling over either. His Newcastle side are only two points out of the relegation zone and in desperate need of some points on Saturday.

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Klopp will only be missing Gini Wijnaldum on Saturday from the first team with illness. There are no new injuries for the Reds and they will be heading into this Newcastle game fit and ready to honour the former manager but make sure he leaves empty-handed.