Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has sent a defiant message to Manchester United ahead of their clash this weekend.

Liverpool head to Old Trafford on Sunday without a win in three in all competitions. While Manchester United are Premier League’s in-form side with six successive wins. But ahead of the match, Klopp was bullish about his side chances while praising United’s run.

He said: “They are better and more used to each other. Henrikh Mkhitaryan is there, I am not sure if he was fit or just out of the squad when they came here [in October].

“I hear when I talk to different people that because of our last game it is ‘oh my god, it is Manchester United next’ and all that stuff. Give me 11 players and we will be competitive!”

Liverpool are second behind Chelsea heading into this weekend’s action, but United can cut the gap on Jurgen Klopp’s side to just two points with a victory.

Jose Mourinho’s dream job appeared to be turning into a nightmare as United drew three consecutive league games heading into December, but six straight wins have given the Red Devils hope of a top-four finish – and potentially more.

Jose Mourinho only has one injury concern before United face Hull in Tuesday night’s EFL Cup semi-final first leg, though Marcos Rojo’s muscle problem puts pressure on Chris Smalling and Phil Jones to stay fit with fellow centre-back Eric Bailly at the African Cup of Nations.

Mourinho faces some tough attacking calls against Liverpool as the coach must decide whether to start the likes of Anthony Martial, Juan Mata, Jesse Lingard or Marcus Rashford as part of a likely front three alongside Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

James Milner (calf) and Philippe Coutinho (ankle) should be back for Liverpool to face Southampton in the EFL Cup on Wednesday, but Jordan Henderson (heel), Joel Matip (ankle) and Marko Grujic (tendon) are slight doubts for the trip to Old Trafford four days later.