Jurgen Klopp dismissed the idea that Jose Mourinho lacks ambition ahead of Manchester United’s visit to Anfield on Sunday.
Klopp’s side sit top of the Premier League with United 16 points behind them, and after the last two encounters between the sides at Anfield ended in goalless draws, Mourinho received criticism for his negative team setup.
However, Klopp defended the United boss, and still thinks he is one of the world’s top managers.
“I don’t think Jose Mourinho ever has a lack of ambition,” Klopp told a news conference on Friday. “He just does what he thinks is right, and he’s one of the most successful managers in the world.
“It was not a joy for us to play against them having this quality on the other side and then having the ball constantly all the time and trying to have an idea to go around.
“The boys tried everything but it didn’t work out. We all have a plan for the game, no problem with that.”
Liverpool head into Sunday’s game on a high after beating Napoli in midweek to reach the round-of-16 of the Champions League.
“I don’t know what the atmosphere was like at the Man United press conference, but here it is rather positive,” Klopp said. “We have a few injuries but apart from that it is all positive. From the other side it looks like it is not the best mood — lost the last Champions League game.
“You all prepare to make it easier for United in that situation, but we have to be angry on Sunday and we will be. We fight for our points.
“We don’t solve problems for others, we have our own problems and our own targets and we go for them.
“You want to talk with me about Man United, that’s the interesting stuff. Prepare the stories for Monday. Our job is that you have to write on Sunday night the right stories.”
“We know Sunday is a very difficult match for us, and they are going to play with their supporters and also pushing a lot against us because they need to win for the three points. But for us it’s also very important.”
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