Klopp: Me in charge at United? That’s crazy!

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has laughed off suggestions it was his dream to take charge of Manchester United.

The two arch-rivals go head-tohead at Anfield at lunchtime today and Klopp’s former boss at Mainz Eckhard Krautzun this week claimed when he played under him the German’s ambition had been to move to Old Trafford.

However, Klopp dismissed the idea that had things turned out differently he would be in the opposition dug-out tomorrow.

“I heard about an interview with my former manager,” he said.

“I really like Eckhard Krautzun but when I think too far in the past I am not 100% sure what is right or wrong but it is still funny. I am sure he thinks it was like this.

“How could I, as a very average player at Mainz, say to my manager, ‘By the way, if I become a manager I would love to manage Manchester United’.

“Maybe people think I am a little bit crazy but I am not that crazy. I never thought about something like this.

“He (Eckhard) was a big admirer, and is still, of Sir Alex Ferguson. In our first meeting he was wearing a jumper of Manchester United when he came in as a new coach. Maybe he forgot.

“There are a few funny stories, unfortunately a few things are not exact but still funny. I had fun when I read it but not all of it is exactly like this.”

Jose Mourinho meanwhile thinks his United side will thrive on the hostile atmosphere they will face at Anfield, a trip former United defender Mikael Silvestre likened to “going to hell”.

But the Portuguese does not see it that way at all.

“You know, this is quite funny for me because I think when people speak about big atmospheres, it looks like we don’t like it, it looks like it’s a problem for us to go to a certain place and to face a big atmosphere,” the United boss said.

“(But) this is what we want. I am surprised that you speak about (going to Anfield) in a negative way, I am even more surprised when I hear former, big players speak about atmospheres like something sinister, something that worries (us).

“It motivates us, it is something that we want, it is something that if we could have every match, we would have every match.

“You know, when Barcelona played against Las Palmas with an empty stadium (at the start of October), do you think the players were happy with that? Do you think Las Palmas’ players wouldn’t prefer to play with the Nou Camp full of people and a great atmosphere?

“We are speaking about Old Trafford, in this case Anfield, like it’s a big problem. It’s a satisfaction, that’s what we want.

“I never see a player complain ‘oh, this atmosphere was very strong’. We complain when the atmosphere is flat. When we play at home and we don’t see big enthusiasm in the people, we complain.

“We know that the fans have huge animosity against Manchester United historically, but this is what we want, so we are very happy to have one more opportunity in our careers to play in these beautiful conditions. It’s beautiful to play at Anfield. Beautiful.”

Liverpool forward Sadio Mane will miss the visit of United after being ruled out for six weeks with a hamstring problem sustained on international duty.

Philippe Coutinho is likely to be pushed forward to replace him with Emre Can coming back into midfield.

Marouane Fellaini looks set to miss out for United. The Belgium midfielder suffered a knee injury on international duty and joins fellow midfielders Michael Carrick and Paul Pogba on the sidelines.

Elsewhere today, leaders Manchester City host Stoke City, while Tottenham welcome Bournemouth.

Fourth-placed Chelsea are at Crystal Palace and Arsenal face Watford in the tea-time kick-off.

Jose Mourinho and Jurgen Klopp come face-to-face at Anfield today.