Jürgen Klopp met with the media, yesterday at Liverpool's AXA Training Centre, before Sunday afternoon's crucial match against ancient rivals Manchester United. This is always a huge match but, Klopp underscored just how important tomorrow's match is for both clubs. Kick-off is from Anfield at 16:30 GMT/ 11:30 EST.
The Reds have been in good form lately, keeping 4 straight clean sheets and winning 3 of those games. The recent run of good play has them within 6 points of the Champions League places. Klopp said, “The important thing about the chase [for the top four] is it's not a one-day trip - you really have to go for it.”
That suggests to me that Liverpool are going to come out and take it to United tomorrow afternoon. United are currently in one of those coveted Champions League places, at 3rd in the Premier League.
Klopp touched on Liverpool's midweek win against Wolves. He said, “[There are] so many things you have to do and that's what I liked about the game [against Wolverhampton Wanderers]. I know it was not the most fancy football game we've ever played, we had a difficult first half but a good first half actually. It was good.”
He went on to assess the teams' form in recent weeks. The Boss used the debacle against Real Madrid in the Champions League as a measuring stick. He said, “A lot of good things happened now in the last few weeks, even when because of the Madrid game it doesn't feel like that, but it was, so far it goes in the right direction, but we have to make further steps.”
Of course, the Manager addressed the impending clash with Manchester United. The Red Devils are resurgent under Eric ten Hag, and the match tomorrow has all the makings of a classic. Klopp said, “Then there's Liverpool-United; I want to see that, it has to be like that, otherwise football wouldn't work. Then we have absolutely no right to exist anymore... people need to know and want to know what both clubs are doing.”
It's United. The game has the potential to shape the top 4 at the end of the season. This is a big one. Both teams are in similar form, Liverpool, with 3 wins and a draw in their last 4 league matches. Manchester United has also won 4 out of their last 5 matches but the difference is United have won a trophy in one of them.
Their League Cup win against Newcastle last weekend was their first trophy since 2017 when they won the Europa League. Liverpool should use that as additional motivation for this match. They should be on the same level as United, winning trophies and being in the Champions League places.
