Howe talks about Klopp rivalry ahead of Newcastle vs Liverpool as 'bad loser' claim made

Eddie Howe talks about his rivalry with Jurgen Klopp ahead of Newcastle United’s Premier League clash with Liverpool.

The managers go toe-to-toe on Saturday, as fourth-placed Newcastle take on a Liverpool side emboldened by a 2-0 Merseyside Derby victory against Everton earlier this week.

The last time the two sides met Liverpool netted a 98th-minute winner beyond the allocated injury time, which sparked an angry exchange on the touchline.

Klopp subsequently stoked hostilities by sarcastically congratulating Saudi-Arabia-backed Newcastle for their ability to spend big in the transfer market.

Howe hit back by telling the Reds boss to be “careful” over the “accuracy” of his opinions, noting the clubs had spent roughly the same amount this term. The Newcastle boss added that he would never lose his temper with officials in the same way as the German.

Since then, Newcastle have gone on a 17-game unbeaten run, while Liverpool have endured a torrid season plagued by injury and poor form.

Howe on Klopp rivalry

In his pre-match press conference, Howe claimed he now had sympathy for Klopp and stressed the German has done an “incredible” job on Merseyside.

When asked why Klopp gets so agitated, the Newcastle boss replied: “I think you have to be a bad loser. If you’re a good loser, you’re in the wrong job.

“It may have helped us in some strange way, in that you go through that experience and you’re desperate not to feel that again.

“I don’t need any reminding of how painful losing is.

“I did that during my playing career and I hated that feeling. As a manager, it is probably 10 times worse, maybe 100 times worse. I actually detest it as a manager.”

Howe added: “We are not here to do anything other than try to win the game we are competing in - not to be the team that everyone looks at and thinks, ‘Good losers’. That's not what we want to be.

“That is what I am trying to instil in the players every day. I want to build a winning mentality and culture.”