Jürgen Klopp has defended José Mourinho’s pragmatism and admitted he would be happy for Liverpool to “park the bus” when necessary on Saturday.
The United manager was roundly criticised for his approach to October’s dour goalless draw at Anfield, when he prioritised containment against a Liverpool team that had won once in seven matches beforehand. Liverpool trail their fierce rivals by two points ahead of Sunday’s return at Old Trafford but, in contrast to United, have been widely praised for their attacking prowess this season.
Klopp claimed Liverpool will need to defend in numbers on Saturday – “against Manchester United nobody flies,” he argued – although he insisted that would not be their overriding ambition.
The Liverpool manager said: “I know what people are saying – they play a specific kind of football, we play a specific kind of football and now everyone makes a big thing of it. But it’s all about winning. There are different ways to win football games but we have another history in the last few years. In the last few years Manchester United was more successful than us. That’s the truth, we respect that, but it doesn’t disturb the moment to be honest.
“If we have to defend there we have to defend with all we have, not with gambling and thinking we are flying. Against Manchester United nobody flies. They are physically too strong, technically too strong. It’s not a battle of systems or philosophies, just two very good football teams who face each other.
“When United attack I hope all my players are involved in defending. If someone then says that is parking the bus then we park the bus. I have no problem with that. Over 95 minutes of course we want to bring our football on the pitch as well. I think it will be a big fight as derbies are in general. Hopefully with a positive result at the end.”
The captain Jordan Henderson, who suffered a dead leg in the Champions League tie against Porto, and Georginio Wijnaldum, who missed Tuesday’s game through illness, are available.
[Guardian UK]
