Chelsea vs Liverpool: Klopp speaks on his players man-marking Hazard
Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp, has insisted he does not have a special plan to stifle Eden Hazard, when his side takes on Chelsea on Saturday.
Hazard changed Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup tie when Maurizio Sarri introduced him, winning the game with a sensational solo effort.
The Belgian poses the biggest threat to Liverpool’s perfect start to the Premier League campaign but Klopp, who faces an anxious wait to see if Virgil van Dijk will be fit, believes it is pointless to man-mark Hazard.
According to him, only once in his managerial career has he asked a player to shadow an opponent.
“Mario Gotze played against Xabi Alonso, but no (I will not man-mark Hazard) as he is much more flexible.
“Hazard is all over the park. With Xabi Alonso, it was clear where he was playing. That is a big difference.
“I have the biggest respect for (Hazard). What a player. Wow! But it is not to defend one man. Yes, it is difficult, but we have to do all the things around it: close spaces, make passes more difficult.
“One of our biggest chances on Wednesday came when we won the ball off Hazard,” Klopp said.
