Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp reacts to Newcastle United transfer business ahead of St James’ Park visit

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has hailed Newcastle United’s transfer window so far as ‘smart business’ and feels the Magpies ‘fully deserve’ their place in this season’s Champions League.

The Reds travel to St James’ Park on Sunday afternoon in what promises to be a gripping Premier League clash between two sides who finished next to each other last term.

Eddie Howe’s side claimed fourth spot ahead of Liverpool in fifth. The Reds beat the Magpies in both league meetings last term but Klopp is expecting a challenging afternoon in the north east on Sunday.

He said: “Newcastle is an incredibly-strong team, who qualified for the Champions League. Fully deserved, with super development under Eddie Howe.”

Klopp was impressed by how Newcastle dismantled Aston Villa on the opening weekend and felt the efficiency of the Magpies’ counter-attacks enabled them to claim such a big win.

He continued: “Fantastic atmosphere there. This is a tough one. They played a really good first game and Aston Villa was really good as well, to be honest. The result probably didn’t reflect the full game.

“How Newcastle used their counter attacks was absolutely expectational. They don’t concede a lot - that’s a proper game. We tried since Sunday night to make sure we are ready for it. That’s it.”

Klopp also highlighted the signings of Sandro Tonali and Harvey Barnes as ‘really good business.’ The pair both netted in the 5-1 opening-day win over Villa with Tonali opening the scoring six minutes into his debut before Barnes added the gloss in the first minute of stoppage time.

Klopp added: “Smart business - don’t want to miss anybody but the two standout signings this window are [Sandro] Tonali and [Harvery] Barnes. Really good business. Super intense style.”

Liverpool sit one point above Newcastle after two games with the Magpies suffering a narrow defeat at the hands of Manchester City last weekend. The Reds kicked off their campaign with a 1-1 draw at Chelsea before picking up their first win against Bournemouth at Anfield last Saturday.