LIVERPOOL -- Jurgen Klopp says his Chelsea counterpart Jose Mourinho is "a nice guy if you are not a journalist or a referee" ahead of the Premier League champions' match against Liverpool on Saturday.

Mourinho is under increasing pressure as the two teams prepare to meet at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, with the title holders lying 15th in the table.

The Portuguese coach is facing a Football Association misconduct charge after being sent to the stands in last weekend's 2-1 defeat at West Ham United, and is contesting a £50,000 fine and suspended one-match stadium ban for comments about referee Robert Madley after the Oct. 3 loss to Southampton.

Chelsea have lost five of their opening 10 league games to sit 11 points behind table toppers Manchester City, and are out of the Capital One Cup after losing on penalties at Stoke City on Tuesday.

Klopp enjoyed his first win as Liverpool boss in the same competition on Wednesday, beating Bournemouth 1-0 after beginning his reign with three draws.

The Reds are looking for an upturn in league form themselves, as they sit ninth after drawing four of their last five top-flight matches.

Klopp faced Mourinho in the Champions League during his time at Borussia Dortmund, and has plenty of respect for his opponent.

"When I was in Germany we sent some messages," Klopp told his pregame news conference on Friday. "I am full of respect for his work. When you are not a journalist or a referee, he can be a nice guy.

"He is emotional and I am emotional but we have enough respect to be able to talk normally away from the pitch. Everything is OK between us."

Klopp rejected the suggestion that this will be his hardest match so far as Liverpool manager, but insisted that Chelsea will be dangerous despite their inconsistent form.

The Anfield coach said: "You think Tottenham was easy? Southampton? Do the Chelsea players not know any more how to play football? No of course not. They did well in the last game.

"Last year, Chelsea played with a very good defence, a very good structure and the quality to finish the situation up front.

"Diego Costa, Oscar, Ramires, Eden Hazard -- all these guys are great football players. At set pieces, you have the threat of John Terry and Gary Cahill too. So it's difficult to play against Chelsea.

"They were full of self-confidence last year so maybe that makes a difference, but to be wounded, sometimes that makes you stronger too.

"We cannot decide this game here and now, though. We have to go and play it."