Jurgen Klopp makes claim involving Leeds United, Leicester City, West Brom and Ipswich Town

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp namechecked Leeds United, West Brom, Leicester City and Ipswich Town as he praised the Championship

•  Klopp loves the Championship for its intensity.
•  Southampton aims to upset Liverpool in FA Cup.
•  Klopp’s praise of Championship seasons is valid
• Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has revealed his ‘love’ for the Championship as his side prepare to take on Southampton in the FA Cup on Wednesday night.

• Jurgen Klopp praises the Championship

  The German, who is set to leave the Reds at the end of the season, is hoping to end the campaign on a high, with Liverpool winning the League Cup on Sunday.

  They could actually end up with four trophies, as they’re still in the FA Cup, the Europa League, and they sit top of the Premier League ahead of the final months of the season.

• Southampton will be hoping to prevent the quadruple though, as they’re making the trip to Anfield in the FA Cup looking to pull off what would be considered a big shock.

  However, with Liverpool currently enduring a long injury list, Russell Martin will no doubt feel his side are capable of getting a win, despite their recent struggles in the league, which has seen Saints drop to fourth in the table.

• Yet, Klopp won’t be taking them lightly, as he told journalist Lewis Steele that he is a massive fan of the second tier of English football, and specifically the ‘intensity’ of the games.

  “I love the Championship, I watched Leeds v Leicester last week. Wow. The football intensity in the Championship is absolutely insane. Saw West Brom recently, a real football-playing idea. Ipswich as well. The league is incredibly difficult.

  “I forgot Hull by the way, oof. So nice to see Fabio (Carvalho) completely confident again. Both him and (Tyler Morton) are dominant players. Development of both is fantastic.”

• Southampton can cause Liverpool problems

  Obviously, the hosts will be big favourites for this game, but Southampton will feel they’re capable of coming through it when you look at the absentees the Reds have.

  Martin’s squad is one packed with quality at this level, and most will have played at Anfield in the past, so they won’t be overawed by the occasion. Plus, they should be fresher considering many of the Liverpool players will have featured in a final that went into extra-time on Sunday.