Jurg: I want controlled aggression
JURGEN KLOPP has warned his Liverpool players not to get lured into an Anfield kicking match.
The Kop boss wants his runaway title leaders to beat Manchester United with brains rather than brawn after winning just one of eight Premier League games against the Old Trafford Reds.
Klopp is aware of the brutal nature of the biggest rivalry in English football – Steven Gerrard was once sent off just 38 seconds after coming on as a substitute seven months before the German’s arrival as manager.
And he has urged his team to keep their cool in what promises to be a vitriolic atmosphere.
Klopp (below) said: “In the good old times, you saw it was a special fixture because everyone flew at each other and kicked each other off the pitch.
“I really don’t want to see that. If anyone asks us for that, no chance.
“We only want to win the game. We don’t want to win just one little battle here or there.
“We understand the need to be aggressive – but we have to be aggressive in a completely different way to our grandfathers. If we play without control, then we only hurt ourselves. “We have to find solutions on the pitch and, for that, you need a clear mindset in what will be an outstanding atmosphere.” United are the only team to take points off Liverpool this season – it needed a late equaliser from Adam Lallana to secure a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford in October. And, while Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men are a massive 27 points behind their rivals from the opposite end of the East Lancs Road, the Liverpool boss expects them to finish in the top four.
Klopp said: “We didn’t play how we wanted to play in Manchester, but we can think about that next year.
“We beat them at Anfield last season, so we must try to repeat that. But United have a really, really good football team.
“They are talented, experienced and there is a lot of good potential on the pitch. I think they will probably qualify for the Champions League this season.
“So, of course, they can beat us – but they will only be able to play as well as we let them play.”