By JEMEDARI Mwanawakiume
Liverpool coach Jürgen Klopp has said that his team’s European fixture against Man United as the “mother of all games”.
The two English football’s most successful clubs will meet in the Europa League in the round of 16 at Anfield on March 10.
But he added that he will not prioritise either the Premier League or Europa League as a possible route into Champions League football next season.
The German knows Louis van Gaal well and has regards for the former Bayern Munich coach.
“ I dont believe in the enemies of football, I believe in real opponents. I have absolutely no problem with Louis van Gaal but the last thing I want is for him to win. You can have good friends in football but not for the 95 minutes when you are wearing the wrong shirt. You can forget all the common experiences in your life then. A game like this is the mother of all football games, a derby, two old rivals in a knockout competition.” For the next two games we have to try to make United’s problems bigger ,” he said.
Man United have lifted three European Cups – most recently in 2008 in its current Champions League format while Liverpool have clinched the cup five times.
“ Anyone reading and hearing all the things said about Manchester United recently might think they had big problems, but three games later they were close to the Champions League and lots of teams would love problems like that. That’s why I love football, you can never have enough of games like this. I couldn’t imagine years ago when I started out that one day I would be sitting on the Liverpool bench playing a European game against Manchester United, ” he added.
Liverpool have registered good wins in the league, while United’s recent revival was dealt a blow by defeat at West Bromwich Albion on March 6.
Probable Lineup: Liverpool (4-2-3-1 probable) Mignolet; Clyne, Lovren, Sakho, Moreno; Henderson, Can; Milner, Firmino, Lallana; Sturridge.
Man Utd (4-2-3-1 probable) De Gea; Varela, Smalling, Blind, Darmian; Fellaini, Schneiderlin; Mata, Herrera, Depay; Martial
Liverpool have won the Uefa Cup, precursor to the Europa League, three times, most recently in 2001.United’s best campaign was to the quarter-finals in 1985.
Striker Daniel Sturridge is likely to return to red’s starting line-up while midfielder James Milner is doubtful due to illness.
Man United’s Jesse Lingard is suspended and fellow winger Adnan Januzaj is cup-tied thus he cant play but Antonio Valencia to return from injury.
No comments:
Post a Comment