LONDON • Liverpool remain the only unbeaten team in the Premier League this season and 16 points ahead of tomorrow's visitors Manchester United but Jurgen Klopp knows better than most that form often goes out of the window against their fierce rivals.
Down the years, the biggest game in English football has always been a tempestuous affair, notably in 2015, when then captain Steven Gerrard was sent off for a stamp on Ander Herrera just 38 seconds after coming on at half-time.
While referee Martin Atkinson will again be taking charge of the game and is sure to clamp down on any transgressions, Klopp wants his players to show aggression without going over the top.
At his pre-match press conference yesterday, the German said: "We have to be angry on Sunday and we will be. We will fight for those points on Sunday."
The 51-year-old knows how heated rivalries can get, having been in charge of Borussia Dortmund for their "Der Klassiker" matches against Bayern Munich.
He added: "It's a big one! It is a very important game and it is very special.
"When I was back in Germany, I tried everything I could to watch it. Very often, it was very intense. Now I'm here, it's always tight.
"In Europe, we were good against them and I don't remember bad results too much."
His opposite number Jose Mourinho sought to gain a psychological edge ahead of his side's trip, noting that it was trophies in the cabinet that counted, not plaudits for playing style.
While Klopp has won widespread praise for his brand of "heavy metal football", he has yet to achieve silverware in his three years on Merseyside.
He has also yet to get the better of United under Mourinho, having not beaten them since the 55-year-old took charge in 2016, drawing three times and losing once.
The Portuguese made a sly dig at his pre-match press conference, saying: "Trophies matter, it matters, especially when you have the potential to fight for trophies and especially when you clearly say the objective is to win the trophy.
"Jurgen told already they want to win the Premier League (title), (that) is their objective."
He also suggested that structural issues at Old Trafford were to blame for his United team being a long way from playing in his image.
But, while Mourinho claimed that United were far from "living in an amazing house" and will travel without the injured trio of Marcos Rojo, Victor Lindelof and Alexis Sanchez, Liverpool have problems of their own, too.
While their issues, unlike the Red Devils' deep-seated ones, are relatively short term, they will have a direct impact on Klopp's selection as Liverpool will be without three defenders, two of whom are usual starters.
Joel Matip joined Joe Gomez, already ruled out for six weeks with a fractured leg, on the sidelines after breaking his collarbone against Napoli in their Champions League win on Tuesday.
Klopp bemoaned the injury that Trent Alexander-Arnold suffered in the dying moments of that same match, calling it "not top-class news".
"It's our situation. Crisis is only a crisis if you feel it," he said.
"Trent is not as serious as the other two boys. It was unlucky as well, like with Joel."
While James Milner can fill in at right-back with Alexander-Arnold set to miss at least two games, Klopp hinted that forgotten man Nathaniel Clyne could be in line to make his first league appearance since May.
REUTERS, THE GUARDIAN
LIVERPOOL V MANCHESTER UNITED
Singtel TV Ch102 & StarHub Ch227, tomorrow, 11.55pm
Pep Guardiola said his Manchester City team will be poised to pounce if Premier League leaders Liverpool falter, following a comfortable 3-0 win over Wolves on Monday that left City four points
Man City ready to pounce on any Liverpool slip-ups, says
Copa del Rey: Ramos double puts Real Madrid within sight of
CARDIFF, United Kingdom (REUTERS) - Ole Gunnar Solskjaer enjoyed a dream start as Manchester United's interim manager as his side turned on the style to thrash his former club Cardiff City 5-1 in
Solskjaer makes dream start as Man Utd thrash Cardiff
Rangers are poised to sign Bournemouth's former England striker Jermain Defoe on an 18-month loan deal. The 36-year-old has been restricted to just four substitute appearances in the Premier
Title-chasing Rangers sign Defoe on loan - worldfootball.net
Vardy strikes as Leicester City starts New Year on winning note as Leicester City won 1-0 at Goodison Park on New Year's Day. tough day for the Toffees, who
Stoke 1 Everton 1: Leighton Baines eyes winning Toffees run
Jan 29, 2019 · Manchester United's interim manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, was looking to become the first coach to win his first seven matches in charge of a Premier League team and continue his perfect start
United late show rescues draw as Solskjaer's winning run ends
Here are 10 players to watch for at soccer Women's World Cup 2019. Americans Carli Lloyd and Alyssa Naeher and Canada's Christine Sinclair among the players to watch at the FIFA Women's World Cup.
From Stanway to Pugh: 10 young players to watch at the Women
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - London Football Awards 2019 - Battersea Evolution, London, Britain - February 28, 2019.Tottenham's Son Heung-min speaks after winning the London Football Awards Premier L
Son contemplated Tottenham exit until discussion with Pochettino
It's hard being Cristiano Ronaldo. He's won just about every individual honor, accolade and prize there is to win, as well as a fistful of league titles in England and Spain, more than a couple of
Ronaldo not sure whether he will stay or not - Ronaldo.com
Football: Newport 'keeper Joe Day skips FA Cup celebrations
Cardiff claim they are shocked by a report that the pilot in the plane crash that killed Emiliano Sala was not qualified to fly at night. The Premier League club said they remain "deeply concerned
Cardiff 'shocked' by Sala pilot report | theScore.com
0 comments:
Post a Comment