Klopp expects to see strong squad

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said he expects Manchester United to field a strong squad in Thursday’s rearranged Premier League fixture despite the Old Trafford club’s hectic schedule.

United travelled to Aston Villa on Sunday before hosting Leicester City on Tuesday. The rearranged fixture with Liverpool, postponed last weekend following fan protests, has been scheduled for 48 hours later on Thursday.

United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said he may have no other option but to rotate his squad heavily because of the fixture pile-up.

But Klopp expects a tough test against United, who are second in the league on 67 points after 33 games, 10 points ahead of sixth-placed Liverpool who have played a game more.

“I expect a strong team against us,” Klopp said after Saturday’s 2-0 win over Southampton. “I think Man United has only good players.

“If I think about the players they could play, they have a really strong side available. Midfield, wow. Up front, all good players. They might be young but they are good.

“What they do in other games, we obviously have no influence but we would have played the strongest Manchester United side last Sunday and that’s what we expect now.”

Sadio Mane’s first-half header and a late effort by Thiago earned Liverpool an unconvincing 2-0 win at home to Southampton on Saturday to keep Klopp’s side in the hunt for a top-four finish.

Liverpool were far from their best, and keeper Alisson saved them on several occasions. But the win moved them into sixth spot with 57 points from 34 games, six points behind fourth-placed Leicester City with a game in hand.

Mane got on the end of Mohamed Salah’s flighted pass into the area in the 31st minute, seconds after Southampton’s Che Adams had been denied an opener for the visitors.

The three points looked far from safe until Thiago buried a low shot into the corner in the 90th minute — his first since joining from Bayern Munich.

Southampton remain in 16th place and, while they are not mathematically safe from relegation, they look like hanging onto their top-flight status.

Klopp described the victory as “very important” after successive draws.

“(Top four) is not impossible but it’s difficult.”

Southampton keeper Fraser Forster was kept busy with saves from Diogo Jota and Salah early on but Liverpool looked uneasy whenever Southampton attacked.

Nathan Teller found himself in acres of space down the right flank and surged forward before crossing low for Adams who looked certain to score before Alisson smothered his shot.

Liverpool made the most of that let-off a minute later when Salah hoisted the ball into the box and Mane headed in.

Mane had a goal disallowed but Thiago settled the issue when he threaded a shot into the corner.

“It is an amazing feeling (to score) but the most important thing is the three points. We keep fighting for a small miracle,” Thiago said of Liverpool’s top-four hopes.