Klopp: We take 13 players this time and two play only against Hazard

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp joked he needs 13 players on the pitch with two solely marking Eden Hazard to stop the Belgian from shining at Anfield on Sunday.

The Reds face a serious test in their bid for a first league title in 29 years with Chelsea needing a win to strengthen their case for a top four finish.

When asked by reporters if he had devised a specific plan solely on Hazard, the former Borussia Dortmund coach laughed, before joking he was going to make it 13 against 11.  

'We take 13 players this time and two play only against Eden,' Klopp said. 

'The best way to try and make sure he cannot play as he is able to is to avoid passes to him, that's how it is. We must react better than other teams did - I would never say it is easy. 

'You need to try and read the game, read the passes but in the end in a one-on-one situation you cannot defend him. I like footballers like this so if he plays his best game we have to live with that.'

For Klopp, there is no question whatsoever that the crafty Belgian can, on any given day, be the best player in the world.  

'He is really pure, a really good player but Hazard we don't have to talk about that,'  the Liverpool boss added when pressed on facing the player this weekend. 

'On his day he can be the world’s best immediately. He has had a brilliant career so far. He has a lot of things I like in football. He has joy, cheeky as well, strong, quick and yeah he is a good player. 

'All good players have to play against us as well so we have to try and deny everything in his skills.'