Klopp isn’t blind to how good United can be

JURGEN KLOPP stands alone among the managers of the Premier League’s top six because he’s the only one with an unbeaten record against the others this season.

The Liverpool boss knows that will be severely tested at Old Trafford this afternoon.

But Klopp is undaunted by Jose Mourinho’s 15-game unbeaten run and insists that he has the tools at his disposal to end it.

“I am not blind,” he says. “I can see how strong they are. Should we discuss Ibrahimovic or Mkhitaryan, Mata, Rooney, Pogba, Rashford?

“They have outstanding quality and I have no problem respecting this. Butwhenweplaythem,I don’t want to see any of that quality.

“With the right information, you can make the quality of the opponent a little bit smaller. Then you can beat them.

“This is what I love most about the game. We need to force them to do things they don’t want to do.

“We have done this really well until now. But this is Manchester United with all the special things about the game – history, quality, position in the table – and the whole world will be watching.

“Games like United are really exciting but we are not any more motivated than for other matches.

“You cannot say 100% what they will do. Jose is very competitive so if he thinks very deeply about Liverpool then I would not be too surprised.

“But we are also competitive. My coaches andIhaveplayed against him a few times and we will be as prepared as possible.

“Against the big clubs, we have different things to do,” he says.

“Against United, for example, we don’t think about 80% possession because it will not happen.

“When we drew at home to United, we had tomakethegameandbe dominant and they could defend. If it’s different today, we are ready.

“Whatever we do, never doubt the attitude or character of these boys because that’s outstanding. If we don’t perform it’s because of other reasons.

“Iamhappytogoto United with these players because I know what they are able to do.”

Last week Wayne Rooney voted for Klopp as one of his top three coaches in the world, but the German isn’t distracted by that.

“Thank you, but maybe it’s to do with my reaction to him after the little incident. (Klopp publically supported Rooney after the wedding reception furore while on England duty).

“I’m pretty sure Wayne doesn’t think a lot about me. Why should he? He’s a Manchester United player!”