Jurgen Klopp has made it clear that he does not agree that Liverpool’s rivalry with Manchester United is any bigger or more important than it is with the other top teams.
The departing Liverpool manager was speaking to reporters ahead of Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final tie, but he is not of the view that this tie is bigger than any other.
“I know the famous phrase with the perch but I had other things to think about than Manchester United when I came,” Klopp said, referring to Ferguson’s iconic pledge, as quoted by the Daily Mail.
“In my first year Leicester won the league, then Chelsea and Manchester City. So nothing (special plans) with Manchester United.
“It’s not me to think about anybody else. If we face United, yes. If we don’t, then they do what they want. I can’t influence it.
“I couldn’t start building by thinking, ‘We want to reach there’. I had to go step-by-step.”
As I always say, the proof is in the pudding and this fixture will see a record 9,000 Liverpool fans at Old Trafford.
Klopp added: “I prefer home games but if it’s away, I like the FA Cup. You take more people and the away crowd is a real crowd. Our fans will be on their toes and that is important because Old Trafford can create a special atmosphere.
“The more we have to go against that, the better. This is all or nothing, decided on the day. It is one of those games the whole world will look at.”
This will be the German’s second last match at Old Trafford before he leaves Liverpool at the end of the season.
The media are hyping everything up for Klopp to have a special ending. I hope it ends in tears.
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