The former Dortmund boss understands how important today’s game is to Liverpool fans
In barely four hours time, Liverpool will kickoff their biggest Premier League grudge match of the season against Manchester United at Anfield. The arch enemies will locks horns in what is still the biggest game in England, despite the respective ill fortunes of both sides in recent years (or last 20 years, in Liverpool’s case).
From Alex Ferguson, to Roy Keane, Rafa Benitez, to Steven Gerrard, all of the iconic players and managers on both sides have appreciated the gravity of this game and often defined their careers by their tactics, wins and performances in these games.
And this afternoon, Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp will enter the battlefield of his first clash against the bitterest of rivals, looking to get off to a flying start and the 48 year old claims that he already understands the importance of this game to Reds fans.
Speaking to Liverpool’s official match day (via Liverpoolfc.com), Klopp wrote: “Although this will be my first experience of this particular fixture, I am fully aware of its importance to both sets of supporters.
“I was not here for the game at Old Trafford, or against Everton at their ground. We have played Manchester City, of course, but I understand the intensity of this rivalry is different.
“I think these are games and challenges we should all look forward to, games we should be excited about.
“Regardless of the situation either team currently finds themselves in, this game is of big importance. It matters so much to our supporters.”
It will hopefully bode well for the home fans to have a manager in charge that understands what these games mean to the supporters, who will set his team up to win, not just send them out and hope for the best.
With pressure on both sides, it is surely Van Gaal’s team that are under the most pressure, knowing that a defeat will see Liverpool claw back the last 3 points needed to go level on points and put his job in an even more questionable position.
And while Man Utd will not necessarily go into the game as favourites, a lot more will be expected of them considering that Liverpool have won just 2 of the last 11 both at home and away, not to mention that United were expected to be title challengers this season.
Who are you expecting to emerge victorious today? Let us know your thoughts below.
