Jurgen Klopp says there has been no opportunity for a bitter rivalry with Manchester United as he has battled for silverware with other clubs during his time in English football.
The Liverpool manager will take on United in Sunday’s all-or-nothing FA Cup tie at Old Trafford, but the clubs have not fought directly for trophies during Klopp’s nine-year tenure.
Although Sir Alex Ferguson’s focus when he took charge at Old Trafford in 1986 was on Liverpool – knocking them out of their “position” – Klopp has not used the rivalry as a source of inspiration during his time at Anfield, which saw the trophy win of United were overtaken. Liverpool has won 68 major trophies in its history, one more than United.
“I know the famous expression with the perch, but I had other things to think about than Manchester United when I came here, to be honest,” Klopp said.
“In my first year Leicester won the league, in the second year Chelsea and then Manchester City started winning the league. No, nothing to do with Manchester United, this is not me. I don’t think about anyone else. If we face them, yes. If we don’t face them, they can do whatever they want. I have nothing to do with that, I can’t influence it.”
Klopp’s title win in 2020 came when they were 18 points ahead of Manchester City and twice finished just a point behind Pep Guardiola’s team. Guardiola has said United are not rivals compared to Liverpool. Chelsea, meanwhile, have been beaten in Klopp’s three domestic cup wins.
“I haven’t thought about it [the rivalry]”, said Klopp. “I came in and we played Tottenham’s first game. That was enough! I’m not that smart that I can think of so many different things. I think we lost the first game against United. [Wayne] Rooney I think.
“I thought we were better, but they won the game. I remember that, but for me I can’t start development with the thought ‘we want to achieve that’, I can only take it step by step. We were probably far away, it didn’t really bother us, but it wasn’t on my mind.”
Liverpool brings 9,000 traveling fans
Klopp described this weekend’s match as all or nothing, with a place in the FA Cup semi-final at stake and an allocation of 9,000 tickets for Liverpool fans, the most in modern times.
“My preference is always for home games, but if it is an away game then [I prefer] the FA Cup. If you have a higher allocation, you can bring more people. We played against Arsenal in the FA Cup and that was cool too,” said Klopp.
“We all know that the away crowd is a real crowd and they are always there and it takes a huge effort to get there. Manchester is a little closer, but generally wherever we play. The away fans will be alert and that is important because Old Trafford can create a special atmosphere, so the more we have to counter that, the better.
“Overall it’s actually a good place to go. It’s real football, it’s all or nothing, a cup competition and then we go back there in a few weeks in the league. Now it is the cup and the decision will be made that day. It sounds fantastic.”
Ten Hag: This is a chance to save our season
Erik ten Hag is determined to destroy Jurgen Klopp’s quadruple hopes in a bid to save Manchester United’s season – and possibly his own job.
An FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Liverpool would end United’s hopes of a trophy this season and increase the pressure on Ten Hag, with his team already in a huge battle to get into the Premier League’s top five to end.
United’s new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has stressed the importance of securing Champions League qualification, for both financial and prestige reasons. Two of Ten Hag’s predecessors, David Moyes and Louis van Gaal, were sacked after failing to finish in the top four.
But Ten Hag remains relaxed and confident his team can spoil Klopp’s so far unstoppable farewell tour, which has already seen Liverpool win the League Cup while remaining on course for three more trophies.
Against all odds, United emerged from a goalless draw in the Premier League at Anfield in December – they are the only team to stop Liverpool from scoring in any competition – but Klopp will take his team to manager for the final time Bring Old Trafford. have suffered just two defeats in domestic competitions so far this season.
“We have to save the season, yes,” said Ten Hag, “and we know we have to catch up in the Premier League. The only chance to win silverware now is the FA Cup and we are only three wins away [from doing it].
“Yes, these are big matches and we will have to do our best because this match is a test for us. We are playing against a very good team, they are very consistent.
“But we like the test, we like a challenge, and we can be relaxed within a certain range because we believe in ourselves. But we have to prove that.
“Some games are bigger than others and certainly United against Liverpool is big, especially when it’s the FA Cup quarter-final. It is a special game and we are looking forward to it. We’ve had our lows, but usually in the high-rated games we’ve been on top form.”
“Everyone here knows where we’re going.”
Ineos executives Sir David Brailsford and Jean-Claude Blanc are examining every detail on and off the pitch to halt United’s decline over the past decade, but Ten Hag believes the way he has played in his first Dealing with a series of problems during two seasons in charge has shown he is the right man to take the club forward, regardless of Sunday’s result and whether they can salvage Champions League qualification.
After high-profile problems with Cristiano Ronaldo, Jadon Sancho and Mason Greenwood, plus long injury-related absences for several key players, the former Ajax manager insists he now has a united squad heading in the right direction, even if the results and performance did not always show.
“It’s about sticking together, you have to face problems together and make sure you’re on the same page,” he added. “There is always noise around Manchester United, but don’t let it distract you.
“Everyone here knows where we are going, what the project and the process is, why we are in the position we are in and how we can improve. We must have the attitude to always give our best every day and achieve results, and then you will ultimately achieve your goals.”
One of the positives of United’s erratic season has been the development of youngster Alejandro Garnacho. The 19-year-old academy graduate has heeded the advice of Ten Hag and skipper Bruno Fernandes to use his exceptional individual talent for the benefit of the team.
“It was necessary,” said Ten Hag. “But I would say when you’re young it’s normal. Football players have to grow up very quickly. You have to learn and take more responsibility. That’s a process, but he’s going in the right direction.
“You reach the right levels, you keep the focus and you learn that it is not just about you, but about the team and what you have to contribute to the team.
“Players like him need a certain freedom to express themselves, but that also comes with a certain responsibility. You can never separate this because at the end of the day it’s about winning football matches. To win football matches you need reliable players, and especially players who are creative. If they take that step, they are very valuable.”