Jurgen Klopp singles out "exceptional" Patrick Bamford in Leeds praise

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has praised Leeds United ahead of their Premier League meeting at Elland Road on Monday – singling out Patrick Bamford for individual praise.

The English striker has proved his doubters wrong this season with 14 goals across 31 league outings, taking his tally under the management of Marcelo Bielsa to 40 across 103 appearances.

While Bielsa’s side continue to impress in mid-table, Klopp has given his thoughts on their ‘interesting’ squad after detailing his thoughts regarding Bamford.

The Champions League and Premier League winning boss said before their crunch Monday night meeting: "What a player, Bamford!

"I can remember, I'm pretty sure before the season I heard on talkSPORT, people saying that Leeds need a proper goalscorer, Bamford is not good enough, stuff like this.

“I’m so happy that he could prove them all wrong!

"He's an exceptional player. The work-rate is outstanding, and he still plays the football he plays on top of that, and scores goals. That's rare.

"They have a lot of interesting players, but Bamford, I'm really happy for him. I don’t know him, obviously, but it's a nice career, a little bit later than others but still very impressive."

The 27-year-old striker was on the books at Chelsea between 2012 and 2017, experiencing loans with each of MK Dons, Derby, Middlesbrough, Crystal Palace, Norwich and Burnley.

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A permanent move to Boro came four years ago, joining Leeds in 2018.

Bamford told the Mail earlier in the season: “I am quite a quietly confident guy.

“I have always believed in myself. I wouldn’t ever speak it out loud but I have always believed within myself that I was good enough to play at this level and to be a top striker.”

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