Man Utd legend claims Klopp "is equal to or better than Guardiola" despite Liverpool's struggles

Manchester United legend Gary Neville has been quick to praise Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp despite their struggles this season.

Over the past few campaigns the Reds, alongside Manchester City, have dominated the race for the Premier League title.

However, this season they have struggled to put together the same kind of form and are finding themselves out of a title race and struggling in the top four battle.

Injuries are a factor but so is the lack of investment in an ageing squad, particularly in the midfield area.

Next season that could change, with a potential takeover after Fenway Sports Group put the club up for sale back in November.

Neville dismissed Klopp's recent claim that the team being pushed over the limit over the past few years is the reason they are faltering now.

He told Sky Sports: "I don't know about that because I was at Manchester United for 20 years, under a manager who demanded that effort every day and there were a group of players who were there for ten or 15 years.

"It is really odd and strange because we couldn't speak anymore highly of Jurgen Klopp and what he has done at Liverpool and the effort he has extracted from his team."

Neville: Klopp "is equal to or better than Guardiola"

The former United defender even went as far as to say that Klopp is equal to or maybe even better than serial winning manager Pep Guardiola.

The City boss has been afforded the luxury of being able to refresh his team with new star signings almost every summer, so the fact Liverpool have been able to keep up proves to Neville just how great a manager Klopp is.

He added: "Jurgen Klopp is not the type to shirk it at all, he is a massive character. I think he has put in an unbelievable managerial performance, equal to or better than Pep Guardiola in this last seven years, with what he has done at Liverpool.

"How much is it Chelsea have spent now, £300million? If Jurgen Klopp can get that level of money from new owners and spends it as wisely as he has done for the last eight years, he will be empowered next season to go and transform that team. I don't think of him seeing this as the end, I think he will see it as a new beginning."

If Liverpool under new owners can match the spending power of those around them then they shouldn't struggle to challenge once again under Klopp.