Jurgen Klopp fears Jose Mourinho may park the bus once again after Manchester United manager's tactics against Liverpool in October
- Jurgen Klopp would not be shocked if Manchester United give up territory
- Liverpool boss spoke about his rival's competitive streak and past matches
- He said: 'If he thinks defending deep makes sense, I would not be too surprised'
- Read: Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp unlikely to start Philippe Coutinho against Manchester United with Daniel Sturridge also set for bench role
Jurgen Klopp has admitted it's impossible to second-guess 'real competitor' Jose Mourinho and he may have to change Liverpool's tactics during the game at Old Trafford because he doesn't know if the Manchester United manager will go gung-ho or park the bus as he did at Anfield.
Mourinho was criticised for betraying United's traditions at Anfield in October when he set out his stall to gain a goalless draw, which is what transpired.
The expectation is that United will be more adventurous this afternoon as they are on a nine-match winning run while Liverpool haven't won in three attempts in 2017.
Jurgen Klopp (right) believes Jose Mourinho could set up his side to sit deep once again
Philippe Coutinho could make a welcome return for his side after recovering from injury
But Klopp is wary, and wouldn’t put it past his rival to surrender the territorial advantage to Liverpool again even though United have home advantage this time.
In an interesting insight into the mind games that go on between two managers at the highest level, Klopp said: ‘At home to United, we had to make the game even with the quality of players. We had to be dominant and they could defend and jump in between.
‘We can try the same if we need to on Sunday but if it’s different, we are ready. I have no idea what we have to do there, actually. We will be ready for all.
Mourinho was criticised in some quarters for his approach in the first match against Liverpool
‘It could be that United will not be as organised as they were at Anfield but I am not sure it is likely.
‘You can imagine a little bit how they will play but at the end it is always a little bit of an open question. How can you say 100 percent what they will do? I am not part of the meetings.
‘Maybe they have a different plan. Jose is a real competitor so if he thinks defending deep makes sense, I would not be too surprised.
‘My coaches and I have played Jose a few times and he is competitive, very very, but we are also.
‘We will be as prepared as possible, try to find the right line-up and need a bit of luck in the game with refereeing decisions, which we haven’t had a lot of until now, honestly.
‘The players have to deliver, that's how it is. I can not change that. But to create the atmosphere where everybody believes in our chance, that's pretty simple for me because I believe in them.’
Klopp could give Philippe Coutinho his first start since an ankle injury in November after the Brazilian came off the bench against Southampton on Wednesday in the EFL Cup sem-final first leg. Captain Jordan Henderson and centre-half Joel Matip are also under consideration.
Unlike Mourinho, who has twice been sent to the stands and bemoaned bad luck, and Guardiola who had a near meltdown after games against Leicester and Burnley, Klopp has been able to remain positive whatever Liverpool’s fortunes this season.
Jordan Henderson is another player who could start for Liverpool at Old Trafford
He puts it down to his instinctive “next game” philosophy and an understanding that football pressures are still relatively minor compared to what’s going on in the outside world.
‘I have no idea how my colleagues are but I always feel the opportunity of the next game,’ he said.
‘We lost the last one to Southampton, I can not change it but if you ask me who I am happy with to go to United I will choose these players, because I know what they are able to do .
Klopp said he has faith in his players despite the defeat against Southampton on Wednesday
Klopp's side failed to breach Manchester United's defence in the October fixture
‘I was not happy after the (Southampton) game but a minute later, I thought 'Maybe I shouldn’t be too frustrated.”
‘I still have an outstanding, wonderful job. I earn a lot of money, my family is healthy, I have fantastic players around.
‘Yes, we have a few problems, this one and that one are injured, but it can not be the biggest problems in the world. I put myself under the greatest pressure, I want to win everything but I have to realise it doesn't work like that.’
The Liverpool side is full of uncertainty with a number of players coming back from injury
Liverpool are the only one of the “Big Six” challenging for the title who are unbeaten this season against their rivals and have already won at Chelsea and Arsenal.
‘I am not blind. I can see how good they are, how strong they are. Should we discuss Ibrahimovic or Mkhitaryan, Mata, Rooney, Pogba, Rashford. They have outstanding quality.
‘The whole world will be watching the game. That is one of the most exciting things I can think about, and we will be part of it. It is perfect.
‘Maybe a lot of people who think about the game will think United are in a good run, Liverpool not that good. I think it is the best time to jump, so let’s go.’
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