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Jurgen Klopp on Harry Wilson, Shaqiri and Pogba: Press Conference
Liverpool are bidding to maintain their unbeaten start to the season and hang on to top spot in the Premier League against their most fierce rivals.
The Reds prepare to welcome Manchester United to Anfield on Sunday.
Ahead of the game Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp faced the press.
Klopp on the game
“It’s a big one! It is a very important game and it is very special. When I was back in Germany I tried everything I could to watch it. Very often it was very intense. Now I’m here it’s always tight. In Europe, we were good against them and I don’t remember bad results too much. Sometimes we haven’t got the results we deserved. We haven’t won a lot but we will try to change that. I know it will be a very intense game and we will be ready for that.”
Klopp on Liverpool's defensive "crisis"
“It’s our situation. The crisis is only a crisis if you feel it. Trent is not as serious as the other two boys, but it’s not top class news! It was unlucky as well, like with Joel. It was in the last seconds of the game.”
Klopp also gives an update on Trent Alexander-Arnold.
“It’s not as serious as the other two boys (Gomez and Matip) but it’s not top class news. It’s my job to find a solution for it.”
The English Clasico?
“The players talk to each other in the changing rooms and prepare each other. It’s a game the same as any other though - give everything you have to try and win it, historically it is a big game so I’m blessed to hear it called the English El Clasico. If Ferguson says it’s the English Clasico, then that’s cool because I was already involved in the German Clasico!”
Klopp on United
“I’ve never been interested in the points of Manchester United. I’ve been aware of the criticism but when we analyse and switch off the sound there is a lot of quality, technique, strength, De Gea in the goal. Rashford and Lukaku, Lingard too are unbelievable.”
Klopp on Pogba
“You know better than I, what happens if I give an answer to that question. So no answer! Make a story of that, ‘Klopp denies an answer.’”
Nathaniel Clyne could deputise for Trent Alexander-Arnold.
“He was unfortunately injured in past two or three weeks but luckily he’s back in full training for three or four days. Is he ready for 90mins? I don’t know. But is he ready for Sunday? Yeah. Clyne is a very experienced player - it’s not ideal and we won’t rush him. Rafa Camacho played outstandingly in pre-season and Curtis Jones too. We have other options and as long as we have options everything is fine. We have to be creative if not but all fine for the moment.”
Klopp is informed his last two home games against United in the Premier League have ended in goalless draws.
“And before that we lost 1-0, right? Wayne Rooney? So - it’s time! We have to be angry on Sunday and we will be. We will fight for those points on Sunday.”
Some nice words for Mourinho
“Manchester United never ever show a lack of ambition. Mourinho is the most successful manager in the world and that’s how it is.”
Klopp has played down the possibility of recalling Harry Wilson from Derby.
“What Harry is doing is fantastic. I really think he left here at the right moment. Everyone told me he needed to go on loan. It’s unlikely we’ll do something in the transfer market but like with Harry you react when some new happens. We don’t want to take him away unless we absolutely have to. We like watching him and seeing what he is doing there.”
Klopp on Shaqiri
“I’ve not been surprised at how quickly Xherdan Shaqiri has adapted. We just had to make sure he delivered like he did previously and he has so I’m not surprised.”
Standings
England, Premier League