Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool’s trip to Manchester United is a ‘massive game’ as the Reds prepare to face their fierce rivals this weekend.
Liverpool travel the short distance to Old Trafford in a high-stakes clash on Sunday, as both sides seek to strengthen their title credentials and keep pace with the Premier League leaders.
The two teams are the most successful and best-supported in English football and Klopp says his side are aware of the significance of a clash against a United side he believes are capable of ‘incredible stuff’.
“We all know how the football world is. United-Liverpool is a massive game, we know that,” Klopp told his pre-match press conference.
“Man United are not overly happy with their results but we all know that they are able to do incredible stuff. We’ve seen it already. So we will try to focus mainly on ourselves.”
United head into the fixture without a win in three Premier League games and needed a second-half fightback to rescue a 3-2 win against Atalanta in the Champions League in midweek.
Former Red Devils’ midfielder Paul Scholes said that Klopp would be ‘rubbing his hands together’ at the thought of facing United, following a midweek performance that saw Atalanta race into a two-goal lead.
The German insisted, however, that he is anticipating a ‘tough game’ despite the indifferent recent form of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side.
“I was watching the game and there was not one second where I was rubbing my hands together, I can say that,” Klopp said. “There was no reason for it.
“Atalanta caused United problems in the first half but even in that half, United had three clear-cut chances. Second half was a demonstration of United going for it, which can cause problems.
“I’m preparing the team for a tough game against a really good opponent.”
