Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has called Manchester United’s tactics “strange” and says his team must “protect” themselves against counter-attacking football.
Klopp once again questioned United’s strategy ahead of facing Solskjaer’s side on Sunday, having accused the club of “just defending” whenever they play the Reds after their 1-1 draw in October.
Those comments prompted Solskjaer to hit back by describing Klopp’s philosophy as “aggressive”, and the Liverpool boss has warned his team must be ready for a similar situation on Sunday.
“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.”
Klopp warned his team must be “perfect” in order to stop Manchester United’s counter-attacking football 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 team to face United, Jurgen 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.
