• Last game between two managers was in Bundesliga in 2011 and Klopp won • ‘The Premier League’s so open they can win it’ says Newcastle manager

Steve McClaren believes Jürgen Klopp’s renascent Liverpool are authentic title contenders and is hoping history does not repeat itself entirely.

The last time the managers met, in January 2011, the Newcastle United manager’s then Wolfsburg side lost at home to Klopp’s Borussia Dortmund. It was to be the former England coach’s penultimate Bundesliga match because after the following fixture, a defeat at Hannover, he was sacked.

In contrast Klopp’s side went on to win the German title. “They beat us in Dortmund at the start of the season,” recalled McClaren. “But by the time we played them again they’d got stronger and stronger, they were already top of the League and a really good team, very well-organised. That’s why I was sure Jürgen Klopp would be a success at Liverpool. I had no doubts.

“Brendan Rodgers signed some very talented players at Anfield and Jürgen’s just taken it on and given them belief. I think they’re genuine title contenders. Daniel Sturridge’s return from injury is really boosting them and the League’s so open this season they can win it.”

McClaren, meanwhile, is left fighting to retain his job on Tyneside while keeping Newcastle – who visit Tottenham next weekend – out of the Championship.