Jurgen Klopp has called Manchester United’s tactics “strange” and says Liverpool must “protect” themselves against counter-attacking football.
Klopp once again questioned United’s strategy ahead of facing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side on Sunday, having accused the club of “just defending” whenever they play Liverpool following their 1-1 draw at Old Trafford in October.
Those comments prompted Solskjaer to hit back by describing his team’s philosophy as “aggressive”, and Klopp has warned his side must be braced for a similar situation at Anfield this weekend.
“It’s strange when you play against a high, high quality team as United still are, and they play the way they play,” said Klopp. “It makes life really difficult.
“We had it with Tottenham. That’s not normal, how can you expect that? On the other side the counter attacks are of the highest level in the world.
“I don’t say they only counter attack but it’s a main thing they do. People may want to see that as criticism, it’s not, but it’s just a description of the situation that makes life for us more difficult.”
The United attack of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood have outscored Liverpool’s front three of Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino this season.
Klopp warned his side must be “perfect” in order to stop United’s counter-attacking “train” reaching full speed.
“We want to be dominant, but we have to protect ourselves against this situation,” he said.
“Attacking football only works if you use the full width of the pitch in the attacking half and that makes it dangerous when you lose the ball.
“This game is asking us for perfection. You lose the ball in the wrong moment and the train starts going.”
Liverpool are “likely” to have Fabinho and Joel Matip back in the squad to face United, Klopp confirmed.
Midfielder Fabinho has been out since an ankle injury forced him off in the 1-1 draw with Napoli on November 27, while centre-back Matip has not played since Liverpool last met United on October 20 when he suffered a recurrence of the knee injury he first picked up in the win at Sheffield United.
Naby Keita, Dejan Lovren and James Milner are ruled out of the game against United.
“They are getting closer and closer,” said Klopp. “Dejan, I think, will train 100 per cent from Monday on.
“With the other two [Keita and Milner], I don’t know exactly. I cannot rush it so when somebody tells me they are ready, I take them back in training.”
