Jurgen Klopp tells Pep Guardiola to prepare for fixture chaos as Liverpool manager adjusts to FA Cup replays

Klopp did not know that the League Cup semi-final would be across two legs while his friends were shocked to find out that the FA Cup had replays

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp admitted he was not prepared for the number of fixtures in England (Getty Images)

Jürgen Klopp has warned fellow manager Pep Guardiola to be prepared for the punishing schedule that English football poses after feeling the strain of a busy start to life at Liverpool, having admitted that he did not know the League Cup semi-final would be played over two legs instead of one.

Klopp revealed that he had received congratulations from friends back in Germany on reaching the League Cup final, given they do not have two-legged Cup semi-finals in the DFB-Pokal. Furthermore, the English tradition of FA Cup replays has also taken the Germans by surprise, and Klopp has said that the extra demand on fixtures – during a period when the rest of Europe enjoys a winter break – has been the hardest thing to adjust to during his first three months in the Premier League.

"The number of games is the biggest difference (from Germany)," Klopp told reporters after Friday night’s 2-2 draw with Exeter City that will see the Reds host the League Two side in an FA Cup third round replay next week.

"When I came here, I didn't know there were two (legs) in the semi-final of the Capital One Cup. I had people in Germany, saying after we beat Stoke, 'yeah, you're in the final again!' Idiots!

"In Germany, when you tell people about the FA Cup - that if you draw you play again - they say 'what?'. Here you have penalties and extra time, but only after the second game."

Klopp was also asked about the possibility of Guardiola following him to the Premier League from the Bundesliga once he leaves Bayern Munich in the summer. The former Barcelona manager is expected to replace Manuel Pellegrini at Manchester City due to his strong ties with director of football Txiki Begiristain and Chief Executive Officer Ferran Soriano, but Chelsea are on the lookout for a new manager in the summer when Guus Hiddink leaves and Louis van Gaal’s future at Manchester United is far from certain.

While Klopp did not give his expectation of where the Spaniard would end up, he did admit that he expects Guardiola to utilise his experience in the transfer market whichever club he joins in a bid to avoid the considerable injury problems that Klopp has been hampered by at Liverpool.

"Pep is so experienced, for sure. I'm sure he will buy a few players and have a good team, have 35 players or whatever," he said.

"I've had a similar situation before with injuries, but with the winter break, they come back. That's a big difference."

But the 48-year-old did admit that living in England has already exceeded his expectations and that he is enjoying his time on Merseyside so far, even if results have not gone as hoped on the pitch.

He added: "What I can say about here is very positive - it's a great country, great people, the food is much better than everybody said. Okay, the weather is not great - like everyone said!"