KLOPP’S KOP TAKEOVER
They’ll pip United in cash stakes too
MANCHESTER UNITED have been left behind by Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool in the hunt for Premier League glory — and are about to be overhauled by their bitter rivals as England’s biggest earning club.
United’s league dominance ended a long time ago but they head for Anfield today with their 27-year stretch as England’s richest club coming to an end.
On the pitch, Klopp’s champions- elect have dropped just two points in their opening 21 matches, are unbeaten in the League for 38 matches and the German insists there isn’t a club in the world who
would want to face the Reds at Anfield right now.
‘ If we are at our best then it’s really difficult for each team in the world,’ said Klopp on the eve of today’s eagerly-awaited clash. ‘It means we don’t have to be concerned about different things, we just have to be at our best. If we are, it’s difficult for other teams.’
It isn’t looking good off the pitch for the beleagured Old Trafford club either. Forecasters say United will earn between £560580million this season, depending on Europa League progress — but Liverpool could rake in almost £600m if they can deliver more Champions League success.
It’s further proof that the balance of Premier League power has shifted dramatically and with United in decline, the gulf between the two sworn rivals is likely to get bigger still. Liverpool will go 16 points clear in the title race if they can beat Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men this afternoon — and that would put them a staggering 30 points ahead of fifth-placed United.
Klopp is only too aware what this highoctane fixture means to the fans and he hopes this does not spill over on the pitch.
‘ We always build it up as Liverpool v United and you have to learn to deal with that situation,’ he says. ‘In the good old times, you saw it was a special fixture because everyone flew at each other and they kicked each other off the pitch.
‘I don’t want to see that. If anyone asks us for that, no chance. We want to win the game, we don’t want to win one little battle here or there. We understand being aggressive in a completely different way to our grandfathers. If we hurt someone, it’s ourselves and not the other one. You have to find solutions on the pitch and for that, you need a clear mindset, and an outstanding atmosphere.’
Not that Klopp wishes to dial down the intensity. ‘It’s our stadium, in our place and we have to make sure everybody knows that before the first whistle,’ he added.