Old Trafford can cope with run of fixtures, says Klopp

Jürgen Klopp has dismissed Jose Mourinho’s claims that Liverpool have an unfair advantage in the race for Champions League places.

Mourinho has complained about Manchester United’s fixture schedule and injury luck as they seek the victory over Swansea tomorrow that would take them above Liverpool. While Klopp accepts United’s difficulties, he believes United’s squad have the resources to deal with so many games and his club faced similar problems last year.

“It’s not unfair. It is the situation. Nobody asked us last year how we felt about it,” said Klopp.

“I can imagine what he means but they have played a similar season to what we had last year, although unfortunately we were not in a position to play for Champions League.

“Obviously they also have a different squad, a wider squad, and with all of their injury problems they had so far they are still able to put out teams and you think Mkhitaryan isn’t playing? Rooney isn’t playing? And him, and him? It is different, but, of course, it is hard. They have seven or eight games left – five in the Premier League, a semifinal and maybe a final – and yes that is hard, absolutely, but we had a similar situation last season.”

Klopp hopes some of his injury problems will ease with the return of Adam Lallana at Watford on Monday.

Meanwhile, yesterday the club confirmed a new four-year deal for centre-half Dejan Lovren, whose contract is worth just under £100,000 a week.