Klopp: Manchester United-Liverpool game ‘a derby’

FOOTBALL Klopp: Manchester United-Liverpool game ‘a derby’

Kiplagat Sang • 18:30 - 04.03.2023

The Red Devils will be seeking a first away victory over the Reds since January 2016.

Jurgen Klopp has stated that Liverpool’s match against Manchester United is like a derby for him.

The Red Devils will be at Anfield on Sunday for a crucial Premier League game that carries a lot of stakes for both sides.

For Liverpool, a win will be crucial in their pursuit of keeping their top-four dream alive.

United are in the title race, and a win will incredibly boost their chances of competing against Arsenal and Manchester City, the two leading sides for now.

"It is the derby for me, to be honest," said Klopp.

"It's a massive one, and over the years it has always been difficult games and great atmospheres in both stadiums. I respect what they are doing, so it is a big game.

"And yes, for us, of course, it is super, super important as well, because we want to make the next step to get closer to the proper area where we want to be.

"I think for both [teams] pretty much it's worth more than three points, just because I know that United are still 100 percent in the fight for winning the league, definitely - everybody probably knows that."

The German tactician also praised the impact Erik ten Hag has had at the Manchester club.

"It is actually clear over the [recent] years, obviously, it didn't work out exactly to the extent they wanted it to work out, but with bringing Erik ten Hag in - and you just need to look at their squad when the squad was finally together," he added.

"When all the boys were in, when (Raphael) Varane was in, when Casemiro was in, when (Christian) Eriksen came, and all these kinds of things.

"It's obviously not a squad that is built together for the next 10 years, it is a squad for now, but with super-experienced, super quality players coming in."

United are returning to league action after winning the Carabao Cup and progressing in the FA Cup and in the Europa League.