Jurgen Klopp has dismissed the chances that Liverpool will thrash Manchester United 7-0 again by branding it a “once in a lifetime” result and a “freak”.
Liverpool recorded their biggest-ever victory against United in a rivalry that dates back to the 19th century when Erik ten Hag’s team visited Anfield in March.
And an injury-hit United, who have lost 12 games in all competitions and been knocked out of Europe, go to Anfield again on Sunday to face Klopp’s league leaders.
But the Liverpool manager is adamant there will not be a similar scoreline, saying: “The 7-0, it was a freak result that happens once in a lifetime.
“If you take it all out of consideration and just play a football game against the historical rival of Liverpool at home at Anfield and that itself must make it a special game and that’s what I want to see from us, a special game. Really understand the situation and give your all: that’s all I need.”
Liverpool’s 2-1 win at Crystal Palace last Saturday put them top but Klopp is ignoring their league position and talk of the title.
He explained: “When you are top of the table in early December people start thinking about different things but we obviously don’t. I’m too long in the business for it to mean anything to me; it’s better than being 18th or 20th but it’s still just a position for the moment and we have to keep working extremely hard.”
Klopp admitted he is not yet sure how much his new-look team can achieve. Liverpool have a habit of coming from behind, with a spirit that pleases him, but the German thinks they struggle to be consistent in every aspect of games as they get used to each other.
Jurgen Klopp manager of Liverpool during a training session— (Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
“What is the real capability?” he asked. “What you can do in the moment or what you can do in three or four years working together? For what we can do in the moment we saw in moments and we saw the problems as well.
“It’s clear when you have a new group together - and it is a new group – with new players and different roles for other players. You need time to find some stability and that’s what we lack in moments, that’s the truth. But in the end, so far it worked out somehow and we have to make sure we keep improving even in the most difficult moments.”
