Boss: English fixture pile-up is the biggest difference
Jürgen Klopp has admitted that the packed fixture schedule in England has taken some getting used to during the first few months of his Liverpool career.
The German had only ever experienced football in his homeland - as a player and manager with Mainz 05 and head coach of Borussia Dortmund - prior to joining the Reds in early October.
He has since taken charge in 20 fixtures in just three months, with a combination of league, domestic cup and Europa League fixtures having made for an incredibly busy start to life at Anfield.
Klopp, who would be returning from a winter break this week were he still in Germany, says his friends back home were surprised to hear of the two-legged nature of the Capital One Cup semi-final and of FA Cup replays.
However, the 48-year-old has no regrets over making the move to a country whose people and food he is full of praise for.
“I have had a similar situation before with injuries, but with the winter break, they come back," he said.
“That’s the biggest difference. The number of games is the biggest difference.
“When I came here, I didn’t know there were two rounds in the semi-final of the Capital One Cup.
“I had people in Germany, saying ‘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.
“That’s the thing, it’s the number of games, football, football, football. With a perfect pre-season you are prepared for a long, long journey.
“We knew about it, but to feel it is different.
“What I can say about here is very positive, great country, great people, the food is much better than everybody said.
“Okay, the weather is not great - like everyone said!”