Liverpool press conference IN FULL: Jurgen Klopp on his team’s lack of penalties, ‘incredible’ Marcus Rashford, Erik ten Hag at Manchester United and ‘hoover’ Fabinho’s return to form
Liverpool face the biggest test to their recent upturn in form when they host arch rivals Manchester United this weekend.
The Reds were humbled 5-2 by Real Madrid but a run of three wins and four clean sheets in their last four Premier League games has seen them rise up the table.
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A 2-0 win against Wolves in midweek moved Jurgen Klopp's men to within six points of the top four.
Liverpool now face Carabao Cup winners United looking for revenge following a 2-1 defeat in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford in August.
And ahead of the return clash at Anfield against the high-flying Red Devils, Klopp faced the media…
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"When I met them last time, they were all in a good mood. Physically they should be fine, mentally they should be fine. There's nothing to moan about."
"Yesterday evening they were all fine. Joe Gomez is closer, not close enough."
On facing Man United
"Without emotion, it would be a sad event. In football you need emotions and all your other skills as well.
"I am always looking forward to this game. It's THE game. It's massive. It's not our first derby.
"United is a big club, it's always massive. Last few years we did quite well.
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"We know they are having a much better season than us but having a better season doesn't mean much for the game."
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On Man United's quadruple hunt
"How could that help or hinder us? You focus on the next game. They won the League Cup.
"A wonderful feeling but no time to celebrate - It has nothing to do with us. They are a results machine. We will try our best."
On Trent Alexander-Arnold giving his shirt to a fan after the Wolves win
"I would like to make a massive story of it but it's not the first time, it's just the first time the camera has caught it.
"The boys always give their shirts to fans.
"Somebody spotted it. I don't know how many times I showed Mo [Salah]. It depends on your own mood.
"When you won a game and you feel good, it's a really normal thing. I saw the reaction of the boy, he really liked it and that's good! At least it made his season!"
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On Liverpool vs Man United
"It's what I enjoy most [this type of game].
"Around these games we pull ourselves out of the sometimes not-so-nice reality, that is when football is the most important for those 90 mins, I love that. The whole world will watch.
"It's a big game and I'm really looking forward to it."
On Marcus Rashford's form:
"It's difficult, pretty much impossible, to be happy about something positive at Man United as the Liverpool manager!
"But, he had a very difficult year last year. I knew this would change again, he is playing incredible.
"He is calm, he has speed, a mix of everything. The way he shows up and surprisingly turns up here or there.
"Manchester United is obviously not a team built for the next 20 years with the players they signed but it is more for now."
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On the fight for top four
"I usually don't speak about this. I said before the last game, this is the week where we want to give the season a proper push.
"Now we have to make the next steps.
"Nothing is done yet which is good for us. We all know everything is possible in football.
"We need to use our crowd in home games in the right manner - really go for it and I want to squeeze everything out of the season.
"We want to finish as high as we possibly can. We have five million reasons why we want to win this game.
"I don't want to do the press conference afterwards and answer the rubbish questions, the boys need to do me a favour."
On beating United being a lift
"Your question is pretty much answered, should I repeat it! It's good, it's difficult and we cannot sit here and act like we did it already!
"When we lost to them in the first game, nobody was interested how we did last year. They are having a better season but thank god, that means nothing for the game on Sunday. We have our own targets, it would be a boost and we have to show it's hard to play against us."
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On Ten Hag's job at Man United
"Surprised, probably not. Look at their team, how could they not be good. They have experience, quality and a good way to defend. Defensively this season is probably the massive difference.
"When my players perform well, I know it's not all me, so I'm sure he thinks the same. Rashford is in the form of his life.
"But they have to play us, and I would like to let them know that that is different."
On Man United's form
"Yeah, United is doing well, great! I didn't miss them [being good]!
"You see them and think from time to time how good they are and it's completely fine, they deserve to be where they are.
"I cannot imagine how annoying it was when we were there. Klopp is doing this, Klopp is doing that. It's completely fine.
"They are where they are, they deserve it. I couldn't be less interested in what they are doing. I respect it."
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On Fabinho
"It's obvious. When I said he wasn't at his best, everyone was like "oh he [Klopp] said it", but why should I not say the obvious, everyone can see it.
"Now everyone sees he is getting better. I was so happy about his last game.
"It's how we need him and how we used to have him. The lighthouse, the hoover! We took it for granted.
"You notice it when it's not there but it's really good for him and for us that he looks like the old him again."
On Liverpool's lack of penalties
"With all the bad stats we've still had the second most possession, second most shots on goal. Stats wise, we are there.
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"We are often in opposition box. I have no clue how that can happen but it happened.
"There are so many decisions where you think, 'wow' and to not get a penalty in a year is funny. It's cool that someone else found the stat so we didn't have to mention it!"
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