MX23RW : Sunday, December 15 16:56:14| >> :60:143:143:
[monks data]
Attendance: 74,519
Manchester United logo
Premier League | Gameweek 27
Feb 24, 2019 at 2.05pm UK
 
Liverpool logo

0-0

FT

Klopp believes Solskjaer has got United back on track

Klopp believes Solskjaer has got United back on track
© Reuters
The Reds face the Red Devils at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp believes Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has got Manchester United back on track ahead of the north-west derby at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Solskjaer has presided over 11 wins in 13 fixtures in all competitions since taking charge on an interim basis following the sacking of Jose Mourinho in mid-December.

The Norwegian has earned plaudits for bringing back a more dynamic edge to United, reminiscent of the Sir Alex Ferguson era, which Klopp thought was on display in the Red Devils' FA Cup victory over Chelsea on Monday.

And Klopp, whose Liverpool side will go back to the top of the Premier League if they avoid defeat this weekend, is anticipating another energetic showing from their fierce rivals.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has won 11 of his 13 fixtures in interim charge of Manchester United (Adam Davy/PA)
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has won 11 of his 13 fixtures in interim charge of Manchester United (Adam Davy/PA)

Klopp said: "We are no magicians but the potential this man's Manchester United team has is really good, that was always clear.

"It didn't work out for different reasons (under Mourinho) and he came in and found exactly the right words, he did exactly the right things in training.

"It's not the best news for us, obviously, but for all Manchester United fans, it's brilliant.

"He's bringing in all the things Sir Alex Ferguson stood for because he was experienced big time in Sir Alex Ferguson's time in Manchester.

"With all the new things in football, that's really good and makes them a threat again. They were always a threat in specific games but now they are really back on track.

"You saw the Chelsea-United game and it was so intense in the first 15-20 minutes, it was unbelievable. Both teams pressing everywhere, under pressure in all departments and all areas of the pitch.

"It's pretty likely it will be again, it's not likely that it will be two teams waiting for each other or making a mistake. We have to be lively there and we will be."

In the absence of the suspended Virgil Van Dijk and the injured Dejan Lovren and Joe Gomez, Klopp was forced to field a makeshift defence against Bayern Munich in the Champions League in midweek.

Virgil van Dijk, right, will be back for Liverpool this weekend (Peter Byrne/PA)
Virgil Van Dijk, right, will be back for Liverpool this weekend (Peter Byrne/PA)

Midfielder Fabinho filled in at centre-back but the Reds were able to keep a clean sheet in a goalless draw in the first leg of the last 16 tie at Anfield.

Van Dijk will be available at United but Klopp said of the Dutchman: "The most important thing was that we didn't miss him as much as, again, a lot of people expected us to miss him. We defend as a unit.

"But of course it's really good to have him back and by the way, it's the first time in I don't know how many weeks that we have to make a choice between midfielders, full-backs, even centre-halves – if I think about Fabinho again.

"For us, that's a good moment."

ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By David Charlesworth, Press Association Sport');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', 'b28848c7-aa01-41e1-9137-3d34b0aafb86');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:club-news,paservice:sport:football,paservice:sport:uk');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension6', 'story');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension7', 'composite');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension8', null);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension9', 'sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.send', 'pageview', { 'location': location.href, 'page': (location.pathname + location.search + location.hash), 'title': 'Klopp believes Solskjaer has got United back on track'});

ID:351237: cacheID:351237:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:15615:
Written by
P A
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Jose Mourinho reacts to the Reds going back ahead during the Premier League game between Liverpool and Manchester United on December 16, 2018
Read Next:
In Pictures: In pictures: Manchester United against Liverpool
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Chiefs
@
Browns
6pm
Ravens
@
Giants
6pm
Jets
@
Jags
6pm
Cowboys
@
Panthers
6pm
Washington
@
Saints
6pm
Dolphins
@
Texans
6pm
Bengals
@
Titans
9.25pm
Colts
@
Broncos
9.25pm
Patriots
@
Cardinals
9.25pm
Buccaneers
@
Chargers
9.25pm
Steelers
@
Eagles
9.25pm
Bills
@
Lions
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City158342721627
6Aston Villa167452425-125
7Bournemouth157352320324
8Fulham166642422224
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton166642625124
10Brentford157263128323
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Crystal Palace163761721-416
16Everton153661421-715
17Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1512121131-205


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!