Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says he does not underestimate Sunday’s opponents Manchester United despite their recent struggles, adding that his side’s 7-0 win over United last season was an “abnormal result”.
Liverpool are full of confidence after a last-minute win over Crystal Palace in their last Premier League game propelled them to the top of the table. The 2-1 defeat to Tottenham in September is the only time Klopp’s side have tasted defeat. this season.
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Their fortunes contrast Man United’s, who followed up a 3-0 loss to Bournemouth last Saturday with a 1-0 defeat to Bayern Munich, that saw them crash out of Europe. Erik ten Hag’s side lie sixth on the table, 10 points behind Liverpool. But, Klopp remains wary of the threat United could pose on Sunday.
“I never like it when the headlines say United are wonderful before they play because they say, ‘Okay, this is the game where they can fix everything,'” Klopp said in his pre-match press conference.
“I don’t follow United enough to know exactly what the challenge is, but I saw Erik Ten Hag as manager of the month last month. I saw that they were an in-form team, so how can all this go wrong?I just don’t perceive it.
“That day we knew that 7-0 was a once-in-a-lifetime anomalous result. If it helps anyone for the next game, then it’s the team that lost 7-0, not the one that won 7-0. 0.
“If you take all that into consideration, we will simply play a game of football against the rival, the historic rival, Liverpool FC, at home at Anfield. That in itself has to make it a special game and that’s what I need. see of us. –a special game. “
The stage will be enhanced by the fact that it will be played in front of the biggest crowd in Anfield’s history since 1973. The partial opening of the extended grandstand at Anfield Road, which was officially sanctioned by Liverpool City Council on Monday after a protective test, will increase the stadium’s capacity to 57,000 spectators.
Liverpool now enter a busy period of winter fixtures, with a Carabao Cup quarterfinal against West Ham next Wednesday followed by Arsenal’s visit on Dec. 23, an away clash at Burnley three days later on Boxing Day and then a clash with Newcastle United on New Years day.
Klopp said his new-look Liverpool side have shown their quality “in moments” this season but believes this December period will be a true test of their character.
“We’ve never had a December together, let me put it this way, and a December in English football is the most difficult month ever. And that’s where we now have to show how far we’ve come,” he said.
“I’m not sure what the other schedules are but that is the worst you can get and that is why we made the changes tonight. From now on they are all finals. That is how it is.”
Liverpool lost 2-1 to Union St.-Gilloise on Thursday in their last Europa League group stage game but still finished top of their group.