The Bayern Munich striker believes the Reds can benefit from being outside of European competition this season by putting together a strong push for the league crown

EXCLUSIVE

Robert Lewandowski has hailed Jurgen Klopp as a “father figure” and believes his former coach can lead Liverpool to the Premier League title this season.

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The Reds have made an electric start to the campaign, winning five of their opening seven games including victories over Arsenal and Chelsea away from home.

And Lewandowski, who played under Klopp at Borussia Dortmund, believes a lack of European football to contend with can benefit Liverpool in one of the most open title races in recent history.

Speaking exclusively to Goal, Lewandowski said: “Under Klopp I think they will be fighting for the title this season.

“Pep and Manchester City will not make it easy for anybody to win the title, but Liverpool have a real chance.

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“Without European football it can really help them with being fresh for games and with injuries and, even though Klopp is always smiling, he is ruthless enough to take advantage of that.”

Lewandowski, 28, morphed into one of the best strikers in the world under Klopp's stewardship at Dortmund before moving to current club Bayern Munich in 2014.

The Poland international has lauded Klopp's man-management skills, saying players adapt to his methods because they know he has full belief in them.

“I have watched some Liverpool games since the arrival of Klopp, and you can see that the players are enjoying playing for him,” he explained.

“As a player you know that he totally has your back, he is like a father figure and, because you have that trust in him as a player, it makes you totally open to his methods and his ideas which, in the long term, you always see are for the benefit of your game and for the team.”