Featured Image Credit: Sky Sports & Getty
Topics: Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool, West Ham United, Jarrod Bowen
Josh Lawless
Topics: Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool, West Ham United, Jarrod Bowen
Jurgen Klopp has surprised fans by naming his favourite player outside of Liverpool.
The German is extremely complimentary of opposition players and that was no different ahead of the Carabao Cup quarter-final with West Ham on December 20th.
The Reds progressed to the semi-finals following a thumping 5-1 win at Anfield.
Curtis Jones bagged a brace in a Man of the Match performance, with Dominik Szoboszlai, Cody Gakpo and Mo Salah also on target.
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Jarrod Bowen bagged West Ham's only goal to make it 3-1, produce a fine strike with his weaker right foot.
The England international has been linked with Liverpool in the past and touted as a potential replacement for Salah.
And prior to the cup tie, Klopp admitted he has a soft spot for Bowen - picking him as his favourite player not playing for his team.
Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: "In quarter-finals, everybody can smell the chance to go through. In a very busy period, finding a line-up which can go and go and go because West Ham is a physically really strong team. David (Moyes) is doing an incredible job, I have to say.
"They are good again, through in Europe, it's really impressive. Injuries issues as well. Playing without (Michail) Antonio, and Bowen steps up in that position.
"[He is] probably my favourite player besides all my players, I have to say. It's great what he is doing and how he has developed."
Bowen was playing in the Conference back in 2013/14 before joining Hull City and has hit double figures in the past three seasons for the Hammers.
The 27-year-old, who scored the winner in last season's Conference League final, has found the net 12 times in all competitions this term - including 10 in the Premier League.
A £22 million signing in January 2020, Bowen signed a new and improved contract in October - committing himself to the Hammers until 2030.