Sir Alex still rings my bell
Jurgen Klopp still has Sir Alex Ferguson on speed dial despite twice rejecting the chance to be manager of Manchester United.
Klopp snubbed an offer from Sir Alex to succeed him at Old Trafford in the spring of 2013, opting instead to commit himself to Borussia Dortmund.
When United chief Ed Woodward made a second approach as David Moyes’ reign was coming to an end a year later, the German turned that down too.
Liverpool boss Klopp said: “I have never thought how it would have been for me in Manchester. Not once. Not one second.
“I am completely fine here. I am in the right place. Even the weather is better in Liverpool than in Manchester.
“I think Sir Alex has forgiven me because we have contact. He texts me.
Sir Alex changes his telephone number quite frequently and I always get the new version so that’s a big honour. He texts me to say, ‘ This is my new number’ and I always think, ‘ Wow!’
“I have a really good relationship with Sir Alex but in this game he wants United to win and I want Liverpool to win.”
Meanwhile, former West Brom coach Jimmy Shan says Klopp should have no fears about pitching Kop kid Rhys Williams into the heart of his defence today.
Liverpool have Joel Matip doubtful and Virgil van Dijk out for the season.
Shan coached Williams at Kidderminster when the teenager was on loan.
He said: “I took one look at Rhys and thought: ‘ Van Dijk.’ You could see it in the way he played.
“The first thing he did was climb over someone, make this header and the ball went 20 or 30 yards. You’re thinking: ‘ Woah, this kid’s got something.’”