LIVERPOOL manager Jurgen Klopp lavished praise on Eddie Howe and his coaching staff – before masterminding Cherries' 3-0 Anfield defeat.

The charismatic German used his programme notes to reveal his admiration for Howe, who is presiding over the Dorset club's fourth straight Premier League season.

Klopp said: “I don’t watch, listen or read too much opinion on football outside of what I need to do the job but when I do see things it feels to me that the work done by Eddie and his guys at Bournemouth is almost taken for granted now.

“These guys are benchmark coaches and leaders in the English game and what they have done at their club and how they continue to do it should be held up as an example of excellence.

“I love that Eddie has the courage to stick to his principles at all times and what is evident when you analyse them is that most importantly his team buys into it completely.”

Klopp has never been afraid to complement Howe's work at Vitality Stadium.

After Liverpool won 4-0 at Vitality Stadium in December, the Reds boss described Howe as "one of the best managers I ever met".