Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp admits they have enjoyed a good FA Cup draw so far.

The Reds are set to take on Southampton in midweek in the fifth round, with the Saints a second division side.

Asked about playing three successive teams from the Championship, Klopp stated to reporters: “I love the Championship. I watched it so often. I watched it last week; Leeds [against] Leicester. I think there was a Bundesliga game on as well. I tried to watch that but then I went to Leicester [against] Leeds; wow.

“The Championship improved. I don't know how it was nine years ago, to be 100 per cent honest. I'm not sure I watched it from the beginning. But the football [that] is played and the intensity in the Championship is absolutely insane. Absolutely insane. I saw West Brom playing recently; a real football-playing idea. Leicester obviously. Southampton obviously [have] a real football-playing idea. I don't think I saw Ipswich but they obviously do well.

“The league is incredible, [it's] incredibly difficult. We have a lot of games in the Premier League but the Championship have a few more. It's quite impressive what's happening there. It's really good coaches with really good players and really good clubs.

“Of course we played them, were they all three home games? That helps. I don't want to see the games when people have played at Leicester or at Norwich. How I said, we had a big advantage of Anfield, so that was helpful in these games.

“We need that tomorrow as well. I cannot respect it more what's down there. Especially at Southampton as well but they are now not in the best results moment and have an important game on Saturday again. I don't know exactly how he's [Russell Martin] weighing it up, my colleague, I don't know him, I just like the way his team plays football. So, we will see. Before a game we always have a chance. We never have more. So that's what we will try to take."