Sunday the 17th of January marks an important day in the fixture list for Liverpool and Manchester United fans as the fierce rivalry between the most successful clubs in England go face to face in front of a roaring Anfield.
This fixture will be known more for the contrast styles of play both teams have used so far this season. Jurgen Klopp in his first few interviews after coming to Liverpool emphasized the fact that he wants his players to play an energetic game and a so-called ‘heavy metal football’.
Louis van Gaal, on the other hand, branded United’s play as boring in a press conference. The difference couldn’t be any starker as both teams gear up for the epic encounter on Sunday.
Jurgen Klopp in a press conference leading to this game took a jibe at his opponents and said football must be entertaining. However, he denied criticizing his opposition number.
“I am not too close with the news about Manchester United in the last week. The stories (going) around I am not interested in.
“Louis van Gaal is one of the most successful managers in the world. He has a special idea of football and as an opponent, you have to respect this.”
However, Klopp added: “I am a football fan and if I watch football I like to be entertained, it is one of the most important things in football.
“You can celebrate big victories together, you have to go through big defeats together – that is what football is.
“Between these two things you have to play football people want to talk about.
“I didn’t like 3-3 too much against Arsenal (on Wednesday) but a lot of people liked it as there was a lot of action and goals and that is what football should be.
“It would not be the same game if people went into the stadium and thought only about tactics and thought ‘This player has to move three yards left or four yards right’.
“Football is not the most complicated game in the world. I like football because of the moments you can enjoy.
“It is a different idea of football but I wouldn’t say we had the better idea.”
This interview shows that Klopp is adjusting to his life in England and is already engaging in a battle of words on the eve of the game.