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Jurgen Klopp says there has been no chance for a bitter rivalry with Manchester United as he has battled other clubs for trophies during his time in English football.
The Liverpool manager faces United on Sunday in an all-or-nothing FA Cup clash at Old Trafford, but the clubs have not competed directly for trophies during Klopp’s nine years in charge.
While Sir Alex Ferguson’s goal when he took possession of Old Trafford in 1986 was to knock Liverpool (and knock them out of position), Klopp did not use the rivalry as inspiration in his time at Anfield, where United’s trophy cabinet was surpassed. Liverpool have 68 major trophies in their history, one more than United.
“I know the word scored on pole, but, to be honest, I had other things to do besides Manchester United when I arrived, to be honest,” Klopp said.
“In my first year, Leicester won the league, the second year Chelsea, and then Manchester City started winning the league. No, nothing with Manchester United, that’s not me. I don’t think about anything else. If we face them, yes. If we don’t confront them, they can do whatever they want. I have nothing to do with it, I can’t influence it.
The triumph of Klopp’s name in 2020 came when they finished 18 Manchester City free saves and twice finished with just one point for Pep Guardiola’s side. Guardiola said United were no match for Liverpool. Meanwhile, Chelsea have been beaten in all three of Klopp’s domestic matches. cup wins.
“I didn’t think about that [the rivalry],” Klopp said. I came on and we played Tottenham’s first game. Enough! I’m not wise enough to be able to think about so many other things. I think I lost the first game against United, I think [Wayne] Rooney.
“I think we were better but they won the game. But for me, I can’t start a progression thinking “we have to make it happen”, I can only do it step by step. We were probably a long way away, it didn’t really bother us, but it wasn’t on my mind.
Klopp described this weekend’s match as an all-or-nothing affair, with a position in the FA Cup semi-finals at stake and an allocation of 9,000 tickets for Liverpool fans, his point in the fashion era.
“I prefer home games, but if it’s away from home, then I prefer the FA Cup. You have this top assignment, you can accommodate more people. We played Arsenal in the FA Cup and that was great too. “” said Klopp.
“We all know that the crowd that’s away from home is a genuine crowd and it’s there and a lot of effort is made to get it. Manchester is a bit closer still in general, wherever we play. The enthusiastic visitors will be on their feet and that’s vital because Old Trafford can create a special atmosphere, so the more we have to go, the better.
“Overall, it’s a smart position to go. It’s genuine football, it’s all or nothing, a cup fest and then in a few weeks we’re back in the league. Now it’s the cup and it will be that day. It seems unbelievable.
Erik ten Hag is determined to destroy Jurgen Klopp’s quadruple hopes in a bid to save Manchester United’s season. . . and perhaps his own position.
An FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Liverpool would end United’s hopes of winning a trophy this season and increase the pressure on Ten Hag as his side already face a huge fight to finish in the Premier League’s top five.
United’s new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has the importance of securing Champions League qualification, whether for monetary or prestige reasons, and two of Ten Hag’s predecessors, David Moyes and Louis van Gaal, have been sacked for failing to finish in the sensible four. .
But Ten Hag remains calm and confident that his team can ruin Klopp’s hitherto unstoppable farewell tour, which has already seen Liverpool win the League Cup while staying on track for three more trophies.
Against all odds, United overcame a goalless draw in the Premier League at Anfield in December (they are the only team to save Liverpool from scoring at any festival this season), but Klopp will take his side to Old Trafford for the last time as the manager has suffered just two defeats at domestic festivals this campaign.
“We have to save the season, yes,” Ten Hag said, “and we know we have to catch up in the Premier League. The chance to win titles now is the FA Cup and we’re 3 wins away [from achieving it].
“Yes, they are important games and we will have to play as productive as possible because this game is a check for us. We’re up against a very smart team, who are very consistent.
“But we like trials, we love demanding situations, and to a certain extent, we can rest easy because we’re in ourselves. But we have to move forward. “
“Some games are more vital than others and United against Liverpool is really vital, especially when it comes to the FA Cup quarter-finals. It’s a special game and we’re on the hunt for it. We had our lowest points, but in the top-rated games we were in wonderful shape.
Ineos bosses Sir David Brailsford and Jean-Claude Blanc are analysing each and every detail on and off the pitch to halt United’s decline over the past decade, but Ten Hag believes the way he has dealt with a number of upheavals in his first two seasons is on the pace. He has shown that he is the right man to move the club forward. regardless of Sunday’s result or whether it saves Champions League qualification.
After high-profile issues with Cristiano Ronaldo, Jadon Sancho and Mason Greenwood, as well as lengthy injury absences of several key players, the former Ajax coach insists he now has a unified squad that is moving in the right direction, even if the effects and performances have not been good. He’s proven it.
“It’s about staying together, dealing with the messes together, making sure you’re on the same page,” he added. “There’s noise at Manchester United, but don’t get distracted.
“Everyone here knows where we’re going, what the task and procedure is, why we’re in this position and how we can improve it. We will have to have the attitude to give our best every day, to give the best of ourselves every day. , and in spite of everything you will achieve it in the achievement of your goals and objectives.
One of the bright spots of United’s inconsistent season has been the progression of youngster Alejandro Garnacho. The 19-year-old followed the advice of Ten Hag and captain Bruno Fernandes to use his exceptional individual ability to gain advantages for the team.
“It was necessary,” said Ten Hag. But I would say when you’re young it’s normal. Footballers want to become adults very quickly. You want to be informed and take on more responsibility. It’s a process, but it’s going in a very smart direction.
“You get to the right levels, you stay focused, and you’re informed that it’s not just about you but about the team and what you want to bring to the team.
“Players like him need some freedom to express themselves, but with that comes a certain responsibility. You can never separate that, because at the end of the day, it’s about winning football games. To win football matches, you need confidence and, above all, artistic players. If they manage to get through this step, they are very valuable.
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