Eddie Howe spoke glowingly about the Liverpool boss’ achievements ahead of their Premier League clash but admitted he cannot be friends with the German for one reason

Eddie Howe insists he “can’t be friends with” Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.

The Newcastle boss will go head-to-head with Klopp in the dug-out for the 15th time as a manager in Sunday afternoon’s Premier League clash at St James’ Park. Both managers will be desperate to claim all three points in their bid to secure a top four finish this season.

Liverpool missed out on Champions League qualification last season while Howe helped the newly-rich Magpies qualify for the competition for the first time in two decades.

Despite the rivalry, Howe spoke in his pre-match press conference about how much he respects Klopp’s success and career achievements. But the 45-year-old also revealed he cannot be friends with the German, nor any other football manager due to the intensity of the league’s competition.

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Howe said: “I don’t really have a relationship with any manager, I’m competing against them. I find it very difficult to have personal relationships with competitors.

“I’ve been the same as a player. I was not one to talk to players before a game. I draw a line, and so that is just how I have always been.

“I respect Jurgen a lot. I think he’s done an incredible job. He’s an unbelievable football manager but I draw the line at friendships because they don’t exist for me.”

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Both sides have played two games thus far this campaign. Liverpool are unbeaten on four points while Newcastle beat Aston Villa 5-1 in their opening fixture before losing to reigning champions Manchester City 1-0.

Klopp undoubtedly holds the advantage over Howe based on their previous meetings. The Reds boss has won 12 of their 14 previous meetings, with his sides out-scoring Howe’s 35-10.

Yet several of those games came when the Englishman was in charge of Bournemouth, who were considerably weaker than his present Newcastle team. The north-east club boast a star-studded squad these days thanks to the significant injection of cash following their takeover by Saudi Arabia.