!! (# $ " #
LIVERPOOL manager Jurgen Klopp has said he needs football to be entertaining” but refused to criticise the approach of Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal. The two men will go headto-head when the bitter northwest rivals meet at Anfield at 4pm today, with the match portrayed in some quarters as a clash between German manager Klopp’s highoctane game and the Dutchman’s more pragmatic approach. Van Gaal’s tactics have angered United fans more used to the attacking football played by the Old Trafford club under its two most successful managers Sir Matt Busby and Sir Alex Ferguson.
And the fact that United are currently sixth in the Premier League table nine points behind leaders Arsenal has not helped Van Gaal win over supporters.
Klopp, whose team are three points adrift of Van Gaal’s men, said Friday: I am not too close with the news about Manchester United in the last week. The stories (going) around I am not interested in.
Louis van Gaal is one of the most successful managers in the world. He has a special idea of football and as an opponent you have to respect this.”
However, Klopp added: I am a football fan and if I watch football I like to be entertained, it is one of the most important things in football.
You can celebrate big victories together, you have to go through big defeats together football is.
Between these two things you have to play football people want to talk about.
I didn’t like 3-3 too much against Arsenal (on Wednesday) but a lot of people liked it as there was a lot of action and goals and that is what football should be.
Football is not the most complicated game in the world. I like football because of the moments you can enjoy.
It is a different idea of football but I wouldn’t say we had the better idea.”
Meanwhile Klopp recalled a memorable meeting he had a few years ago with Ferguson who last month said the former Borussia Dortmund manager’s arrival at Anfield worried him as it could mean that Liverpool would resume the dominance over United they enjoyed in the 1970s and 1980s.
I had a few really good moments with Sir Alex and it was a big honour to talk to him,” said Klopp.
As a manager it is the best thing you can do, to sit there and listen I needed 10 minutes to understand it all but maybe he is the greatest ever, the John Lennon of football or something.
It was impressive to talk to him and from my side there is a big amount of respect because what he did in his life as a manager is not too easy to do again.
OTHER EPL MATCHES: Stoke City vs Arsenal (6.15pm). Tomorrow: Swansea City vs Watford.
that is what BORUSSIA Dortmund striker Ciro Immobile said he couldn’t wait to play for Torino again after completing his six-month loan signing on Friday in a bid to boost his Euro 2016 selection chances.
Immobile moved to Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund in 2014 following Italy’s ill-fated World Cup campaign in Brazil, but despite hitting the net four times in the Champions League for the Bundesliga side he was sent on loan to Sevilla.
The 25-year-old striker made only eight appearances for the Spanish La Liga side this season, leaving him on the fringes of Antonio Conte s Italy squad ahead of next summer s European Championships in France.
Naples-born Immobile was met by dozens of fans when he returned to Turin earlier this week and said Friday: I’m super happy, I can’t wait to get playing again.
I want to thank the club for showing faith in me and say thanks to the fans for the welcome they gave me at the airport: I wasn’t expecting that, that’s what made it so special.”
Immobile, who will wear the number 10 shirt after fellow forward Andrea Belotti inherited his number nine jersey, has yet to train with Torino but is expected to start Saturday when Giampiero Ventura s side host Frosinone.
I’m returning with lots of enthusiasm,” pledged Immobile. I know all the players here and I want to help the club as much as I can wearing a shirt that has given me so much satisfaction in the past.
He made his competitive debut for Italy in the Azzurri’s 2-1 win over England in Manaus in the sides’ World Cup opener last year.