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Ronald Koeman has hailed Jurgen Klopp as the new king of the Premier League.

Koeman, who saw his Southampton team smashed 6-1 at home in the Capital One Cup by Klopp’s resurgent Liverpool in midweek, reckons the German can reinvent English football with his philosophy of all-out attack.

The Dutchman dismissed Jose Mourinho, Arsene Wenger, Louis van Gaal and Manuel Pellegrini as bottlers when it comes to playing on the front foot.

And he insists that Liverpool already have what it takes to challenge Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal and Manchester City.

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In an extraordinary assessment of the Kop boss, Koeman said: “Jurgen Klopp plays real attacking football - the kind of football the public wants to see.

“It is completely different stuff. We now see a totally different Liverpool side. They are an exception compared to the biggest clubs in the Premier League.

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“None of the big clubs dare to play real attacking football.

“Manchester City don’t do it, Manchester United don’t, Arsenal don’t and Chelsea don’t.

“Their intentions are totally different. They all drop back a bit, they wait for a mistake and then come out to attack. That is not what I call taking initiative. They don’t want to be dominant or attack, despite all the quality they have.”

Koeman’s appraisal of Klopp is even more astounding, given his history with Germans.

In 1988, the Dutchman was pictured wiping his bottom with Lothar Matthaus' shirt during Holland’s triumphant Euro campaign.

(Image: Rex)

But Koeman said: “What Klopp does right now in football in this country is so refreshing. His approach is really what the Premier League needs.

“Physically and defensively the Premier League is the best in the world, but there are hardly any big teams who are prepared to play proper attacking and entertaining football.

“What Klopp now brings to England will raise the level of football and will make games more attractive for the fans.

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“We try to play like that at Southampton, but it does not always pay off. You need quality in every line of your team. Liverpool have that depth in the squad. Against us, Clyne and Coutinho were injured, while Benteke, Milner, Henderson and Firmino were on the bench.”

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Koeman added: “This is why Liverpool could compete with the best clubs now that Klopp has them playing so great.

“I have always admired coaches who have the guts to go forward so much. Klopp is not passive. He does not wait. He wants his team to be the boss on the pitch and go for it.

“I know it is early days yet, but you don’t win 3-1 [away] against Chelsea, 4-1 [away] against Man City and 6-1 against Southampton without a serious idea about top-level football.”