KEEPIN’ IT CLEAN Jurgen’s advice
JURGEN KLOPP will make his stars aware of the importance to stay cool in the heat of today’s crunch clash with Manchester United.
The Reds boss wants no repeat of Steven Gerrard’s ill temper when he was sent off just 38 seconds after coming on in his final game against United five years ago.
The Kop legend stamped on former United man Ander Herrera and United went on to win 2-1.
Klopp, who took over at Liverpool seven months later, has always insisted he has no place for senseless aggression in his team.
“In the good old times you saw that it was a special game because everyone flew at each other and kicked each other off the pitch. But I don’t want to see that,” said Klopp (below).
“If anyone asks us for that, no chance. We want to win the game, we don’t want to win one little battle.
“We accept being aggressive in a completely different way to our grandfathers.
“If we hurt someone it hurts ourselves and not the other one. You need a clear mindset and an outstanding atmosphere.”
United’s last defeat at Anfield in December 2018 cost Jose Mourinho his job and turmoil is still never far from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as he plots a new future. But Klopp believes United’s counter-attacking style makes them dangerous opponents – if allowed to play their game. “United have a really good football team, talented and experienced. There is a lot of good potential on the pitch. “I think they will probably qualify for the Champions League this season. The transfer window is still open and maybe they’ll bring in a couple of good players more suited to Ole’s style of play.
“So, of course they can beat us. But they can only play as good as we let them play.
“If we are at our best it’s difficult for every team. It’s our stadium so we have to make sure everybody knows that.”