Xavi on 'amazing' Klopp and why Liverpool are 'just about perfect'

Ex-Barcelona and Spain midfielder Xavi Hernandez has heaped praise onto Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp and his Reds side ahead of their visit to the country in which he manages.

The Reds squad travelled to Qatar for the FIFA Club World Cup on Sunday and were given a rapturous welcome .

Xavi has been coaching in the Qatar Stars League, the top flight in the country, since May, when he retired from playing.

He told FIFA.com: "What stands out for me with Klopp and Liverpool is their intensity. The intensity they play with both in defence and attack, the high press by the front three who occupy the space between the lines and do their pressing there.

"They're a very difficult team to attack. Physically they're very strong. They win all the second balls and they also work really hard on their tactics. They're dominant in so many areas of the game.

"Their transitions in attack and defence are just about perfect: how they defend, how they drop back, how they hit hard on the counter, the pace of their players and above all the intensity Klopp gives them.

"My guess is that he makes huge demands of them in training. The energy he gives off from the dugout and injects in the team is amazing."

Liverpool would have played against the club that Xavi manages, Al Sadd, on Wednesday night in the Club World Cup had they won their quarter-final clash, but the Qatari side lost out to Mexican outfit Monterrey .