Liverpool vs Man Utd is a ‘derby’, says Jürgen Klopp ahead of Anfield clash | Football news

Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp says playing against Manchester United is a “derby” for him.

The Reds will host Manchester United live on Super Sunday. A match that seems to be a must win if they want to keep their top four hopes alive.

Klopp believes this is more than just a big match between two of English football’s biggest rivals, insisting the visitors should continue to challenge for the Premier League title.

“Honestly, it’s a derby for me,” said Klopp Geoff Shreeves of Sky Sports.

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“It’s a huge game and over the years it’s always been a tough match and a great atmosphere in both stadiums. I respect what they do, so it’s an important match.

“Actually it’s clear over the (last) years, obviously it didn’t work out exactly as much as they wanted, but with the signing of Erik ten Hag – and just look at their lineup when the lineup finally got together.

“When all the boys were inside, when (Raphael) Varane came in, when Casemiro came in, when (Christian) Eriksen came in and all that kind of stuff.

Of course it’s not a squad that is built together over the next 10 years, it’s a squad for now, but super experienced players with super quality come in.

“I think it’s worth more than three points for both (teams) just because I know United are still 100 per cent in the fight to win the league, definitely – everyone seems to know that.

“And yes, for us, of course, it’s also very, very important because we want to take the next step to get closer to the right area where we want to be.

“Of course I think we can do it, but we have to prove it. It’s not that I’m saying now that we can do it – there’s a lot of work to be done between my words and the actual outcome.

“I always felt the full meaning of this game whenever we played it.”

Ten Hag: Man Utd’s Anfield win is ‘next step’

Erik ten Hag says a win at a “hostile” Anfield on Sunday would be the “next step” in Manchester United’s development.

United return to league competition after victories in the Europa League, the Carabao Cup final and the FA Cup, aiming for their first away win over Liverpool since January 2016.

The result away from Old Trafford is perhaps the only thing missing from Ten Hag’s illustrious debut season, which lost to both Manchester City and Arsenal early in the campaign.

“This is the next step we need to take,” said the manager.

“I also think we’ve had really good performances away from home. The pitch is the same size everywhere, there are three umpires with a fourth, the ball is round, there is air in the ball. We have to play and make it our game.”

Nev: Man Utd will need “something really special” to beat Liverpool

Gary Neville believes Manchester United will have to create “something really special” if they are to beat Liverpool at Anfield on Super Sunday despite their superb form.

Erik ten Haga’s men have lost just one of their last 22 matches in all competitions and after a Carabao Cup victory over Newcastle, they returned on Wednesday against West Ham in the FA Cup.

They head to Anfield hoping to keep the pressure on Arsenal and Manchester City in the Premier League table, but Neville expects a tough game, regardless of Liverpool’s problems this season.

Asked by Sky Sports News if there is still fear at Anfield, Neville said: “Absolutely.

I’m not saying Manchester United players will be worried about leaving on Sunday, but anyone who has been to Anfield and most of this team knows how difficult it is.

“They’ll know how things can go wrong and how that mob can get at you and make things difficult for you in the first game.

“Manchester United on Sunday will have to give everything and more to beat Liverpool, whatever form Liverpool are in.”