Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp admits he now understands why Sheffield United's Chris Wilder was chosen ahead of Manchester City's Pep Guardiola for the LMA Manager of the Year award.
Wilder scooped the gong last May having led the Blades to promotion to the Premier League by finishing second in the Championship.
The Yorkshire side have since impressed in the top flight and are competing for a Champions League spot after losing only five of their first 20 games.
And Klopp, whose team entertain Sheffield United on Thursday night, is appreciative of Wilder's efforts.
"When last year he became manager of the year, I thought 'Pep Guardiola won four or so titles, what happened there?'," said the Reds boss.
"I watched the Championship from time to time but not in that much detail. But now I know why.
"He has done an incredible job there. It is a really good, organised team. They have caused everybody problems, not only City the other day (Sheffield United lost 2-0 at the Etihad on Sunday).
"It'll be like that for us tomorrow. They are too good for us to have no problems in the game. We have to fight and we have some quality as well, that's what we want to show.
"But Sheffield United have an interesting set-up, an interesting gameplan. Respect."
Klopp, speaking on Wednesday at Melwood, was also asked about the situation of Adam Lallana, who started the 1-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday.
Lallana is the final six months of his contract with reports suggesting the 31-year-old will leave in the summer.
“Everything about Adam Lallana, Adam Lallana knows and I know, and I'm really happy for him that he's in sensational shape at the moment; that's what we try to show constantly, as often as we bring him in,” said Klopp.
“He is a very important player in this moment. What will happen in the future, we will see. But for him, wherever it is – here or somewhere else – the only important thing is that he can show he is 100% fit.
“He had some injury problems (that are) completely done; trained, body is super fit, mind in a perfect place, enjoys the time here in the moment. You can see that in each second of training and (when) he plays, very influential."
kayomokay
0
mate promoting a team like sheffield is close to impossible and wilder pulled it of and look they adapt well and are competing
Yes he did something special for promoting them fine,but don't forget he's not d first to promote an average team to epl,but pep did d impossible for winning d whole trophy in England something no club has never achieve in the history of epl,wat about that?
mendis97
0
so because he promoted them to d premier league and did well in d top flight is dat d reason y he won manager of d year ahead of gurdiola who guided city to all d trophy in England,England FA is crazy they need VAR to check there brain
mate promoting a team like sheffield is close to impossible and wilder pulled it of and look they adapt well and are competing
Hari07
0
injured ruined lalllana's carrer he is such a amazing player most of the english players commited with injureds
Temiball
0
Great speech
kayomokay
0
and ask liverpool who is ramos?
and wat has he achieve wt shelfid?
P_Taneja
0
Would you say it was a challenge to take over teams that were already winning their respective leagues before he joined them. BARCA, BARYEN AND CITY were already winning before him. So it was not shocking to see him win
That is something persepective Pep played for barca and coached barca b so he was to be the manager of senior team and won all the fame and trophies Now you tell me the man with barca manager showing that accolades on his cv would get the job at accrington or mk dons? His first job made his cv that glittering that he will get a top job ofcourse And as far as winning is considered city weren't winning like they are now, they weren't respected and feared like they are now and he made that possible achieving a feat of domeatic treble for the first time in england City had started rising but he took them to a different level And now when he leaves city What you think which clubs would target him? The recommendations already placed are barca bayern and psg and juve also showed interest recently It is because of his cv that is all so glittery
Cauenpryz-
0
Pep has taken over the nunber 1 teams from each countries, teams that were already winning, so winning the league is not enough he needs to win the UCL which he has not yet done.
kayomokay
1
Pep is ready made club manager...Steve Bruce could have been success if given chance to manage Shitteh..
no point
Adamdannie
0
so because he promoted them to d premier league and did well in d top flight is dat d reason y he won manager of d year ahead of gurdiola who guided city to all d trophy in England,England FA is crazy they need VAR to check there brain
Pep is ready made club manager...Steve Bruce could have been success if given chance to manage Shitteh..
FAPIO21_cityzen
0
Ask Pep to manage sheffield..
and ask liverpool who is ramos?
Nidbkotyz
0
Pep is actually snubbed for many awards that he deserves just plainly gor the fact because if you give him the chance he wants he will run away with everything They said he can't do it, he shocked the world with barca They came back with he can only do it in spain,he did it with bayern They asked Can he do it in england wherr the league is physical, he proved himself in pl as well Now they say he can't do it in europe, hopefully he shows them new colours again
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Would you say it was a challenge to take over teams that were already winning their respective leagues before he joined them. BARCA, BARYEN AND CITY were already winning before him. So it was not shocking to see him win
Adamdannie
0
so because he promoted them to d premier league and did well in d top flight is dat d reason y he won manager of d year ahead of gurdiola who guided city to all d trophy in England,England FA is crazy they need VAR to check there brain
Ask Pep to manage sheffield..
yumbdeiloz
2
Lallana had won trophies with Liverpool. whatever happens in the summer will be good for both parties.
VividKop
4
I feel for Lallana because consistent injuries stole his game show. He is one of the most fleet footed players in EPL, good with both right and left foot, switching play, dribbling past opponents. He can do all that but he really is physically unimposing!!! Incredible player. YNWA FOREVER!!
kayomokay
0
Can a Barcelona fan be reasonable for one?
talk wt sense don't just comment because people are commenting make ur point known, but if ur knowledge is little I can understand
nuylpruyz
4
man City very very nice
P_Taneja
7
Pep is actually snubbed for many awards that he deserves just plainly gor the fact because if you give him the chance he wants he will run away with everything They said he can't do it, he shocked the world with barca They came back with he can only do it in spain,he did it with bayern They asked Can he do it in england wherr the league is physical, he proved himself in pl as well Now they say he can't do it in europe, hopefully he shows them new colours again
MaireBurns000
0
so because he promoted them to d premier league and did well in d top flight is dat d reason y he won manager of d year ahead of gurdiola who guided city to all d trophy in England,England FA is crazy they need VAR to check there brain
Can a Barcelona fan be reasonable for one?
MaireBurns000
0
good on klopp for giving wilder the respect he deserves
I respect responsible people a lot, and you're one of those
kayomokay
6
so because he promoted them to d premier league and did well in d top flight is dat d reason y he won manager of d year ahead of gurdiola who guided city to all d trophy in England,England FA is crazy they need VAR to check there brain
mendis97
2
good on klopp for giving wilder the respect he deserves