Tottenham boss Antonio Conte has scoffed at criticism from Liverpool counterpart Jurgen Klopp ahead of their showdown.

The two sides meet in the Premier League on Sunday for the first time since a 1-1 draw in May that proved pivotal in the title run-in.

The draw was the only time Liverpool dropped points to anyone other than Manchester City in their final 18 games of the season, with Pep Guardiola's side going on to clinch the title by a single point.

In the aftermath, Klopp was critical of Conte's counter-attacking style, claiming he “could not coach" such tactics and urging Spurs, who had just 35 per cent possession, to “do more for the game", though the Reds boss later claimed his remarks were a backhanded compliment.

“If you remember he lost the Premier League for this result," Conte said on Friday. “I understood his frustration. They lost the Premier League because of that result. They lost the Premier League for these two points.

“But you know, instead we reached the Champions League with that draw. It's okay, every coach has to speak for his team. For every coach it's important to understand the best strategy to reach a good result.

“Honestly, I have seen again the last game we played against Liverpool and if there was a team that deserved to win it was Tottenham not Liverpool. But I understand after the game when you felt you lost the Premier League to say something wrong against another team, but he has said sorry because he understood.

“No problem for me. When you are angry it's very difficult sometimes to control your emotion."