Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has said this weekend’s clash with Manchester United means everything to both sets of fans.
The north-west rivals meet in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Sunday, competing for a place at Wembley. Liverpool remain in pursuit of a quadruple in Klopp’s final season in charge, having already won the Carabao Cup and reached the Europa League’s last eight.
Manchester United, whose last hope of silverware is FA Cup success, will be keen to end that quest and Klopp admits he is relishing another chance to take on the Red Devils.
“I am looking forward to it. I am not sure enjoy is the right word. We can take 9,000 people I think to Old Trafford. Manchester United, yeah, ask me after it if I enjoy it! Before the game it’s just work. We will try to prepare as well as possible,” Klopp said at his pre-match press conference.
“Again we have a situation where we have played Thursday and we handled it. United have had a full week to prepare. Erik ten Hag is a really good manager and knows how to play so he will line-up some challenges but we don’t know in the moment. We don’t have this time to prepare like this for an opponent and have to be ready anyway. As much as it is possible, I enjoy it.”
Manchester United sit sixth in the Premier League table after an unconvincing campaign under Erik ten Hag, though Klopp has no doubt that this weekend’s game will be another ‘tough’ trip for his team.
“I don’t know much about their season but I saw some really good games. They have some injury problems but a lot of quality. Maybe Rasmus Hojlund is available again? Maybe Wan-Bissaka is close? That obviously makes a difference as well, we will see on Sunday.
“It was always a tough place to go for us, it means everything to both fan groups, we know that. We try to show that on the pitch as well with the work rate, but you never know. There are no guarantees, just opportunities. We are really willing to give it a try.”
Klopp provided an update on the fitness of his squad and confirmed Ibrahima Konate is likely to miss out.
“Mo [Salah] is definitely ready [for Sunday]. Ibrahima Konate didn’t train today, we’ll have to see if he can train tomorrow. It will be a tight, tight race that we will probably lose. But you don’t know.
“Bobby Clark feels much better. He has a little swelling which made us think it might be something more serious, but it’s not. He’s fine. Ryan Gravenberch trained again today so he is ready. Others after the [international] break.”
