KLOPP: I’M NOT FERGIE
» Jurgen’s trophy haul takes Reds past United, but he’s no time to brag » I know the famous ‘perch’ line, but I had other stuff to worry about when I arrived
JURGEN KLOPP insists that he was never obsessed with knocking Manchester United off their perch.
Klopp is chasing an unprecedented Quadruple in his last season as Liverpool boss.
He is heading to Old Trafford for an FA Cup quarter-final showdown with the Carabao Cup already won, his team joint top of the Premier League with Arsenal and through to the last eight of the Europa League.
And Klopp is already guaranteed to leave Anfield with Liverpool once again established as the nation’s most decorated club.
The Merseysiders have lifted 71 trophies to United’s 69. And, while Klopp knows how Sir Alex Ferguson’s infatuation with Liverpool’s success fuelled United’s most glorious years, the Reds manager feels he has had bigger challenges to focus on during his nine years in England.
Klopp said: “I know the famous phrase about the
perch, but I had other stuff to do when I arrived here rather than think about Manchester United, to be honest. In my first year, Leicester won the league. In my second year, Chelsea, then Man City started winning the league.
“But there was nothing with Manchester United. That is not me. I don’t think about anybody else.
“If we face them, then yes. If we don’t face them, they can do what they want and I have nothing to do with that influence
“I was made aware Liverpool have now won most trophies because I was told about it – but then I forgot it!
“It’s important, absolutely. But as long as we can still win something, I don’t count trophies.”
Ferguson famously made it his ambition to overhaul Liverpool when he arrived at Old Trafford in 1986 – and did just that when it came to winning the title.
But Liverpool will draw level with United on 20 championships if they clinch the title this season.
And Klopp has also led Liverpool to a sixth Champions League during his reign – three more than United.
Klopp (below, celebrating Liverpool’s Carabao Cup triumph) said: “When I first came in here, we played Tottenham that weekend – and that was enough to think about.
“I’m not that smart that I can think about many different things. “I think we lost our first game against United. Was it a goal by Wayne Rooney? I thought we were better, but they won the game. I do remember that. “But, for me, I can’t start the development (of a club) by thinking who is up there who I want to reach.
“I can only do it step by step – and they were probably far away. It didn’t ever hinder me because it wasn’t even in my mind.
“He (Ferguson) came from Scotland, I came from Germany, so different place and different times.”
Liverpool will be roared on by 9,000 fans at a sell-out Old Trafford and Klopp will savour the occasion.
He added: “I always prefer home games, but if we play away I have always preferred to do it in the FA Cup because you can take more people.
“The away crowd is a real crowd. Our fans will be on their toes and that’s important as we know Old Trafford can create quite a special atmosphere.
“In general, it is a good place to go. It’s real football.
“It’s all or nothing because it’s the Cup and it will be decided that day.
“I am really happy that we aren’t going there with people saying, ‘They have no chance’.
“We have a chance – but we must be really good.”