Klopp praises 'world-class' Costa ahead of Chelsea tilt

Liverpool's Jurgen Klopp has highlighted Diego Costa's threat ahead of Friday's fracas with Chelsea, when the storied sides meet at Stamford Bridge.

The combative Spain international has been at his bulldozing best to start the campaign, fashioning four goals over four games and being a constant nuisance in a lone role up front. He'll pit his abrasive style against the Reds' backline to kick off the upcoming slate of Premier League fixtures.

"World-class," said Klopp when asked to describe Costa. "If other supporters love you it's not a good sign.

"He is a real warrior on the pitch. He uses his body all the time - that is his quality - and he was nearly unstoppable against Swansea. He could have been the man-of-the-match. He is strong, no doubt."

Liverpool will add Dejan Lovren to its defensive ranks Friday, after the Croatian sat out last weekend's defeat of Leicester City with a black eye. The former Southampton centre-half will look to usurp Lucas Leiva - whose howler set up Jamie Vardy for the Foxes' consolation strike - in the lineup, and see off competition from Ragnar Klavan, the recipient of a vicious, red-card challenge from Cesc Fabregas in a pre-season clash this summer.

"They are the champions of two years ago," Klopp continued. "Last season was not a Chelsea season but now they are back on track so we must be ready for a real challenge. They attack well and defend strong, but we are quite confident we can do something there."

Last time Liverpool travelled to Stamford Bridge, it triumphed by a 3-1 scoreline courtesy of a brace from Philippe Coutinho and solitary effort from Christian Benteke.