Not many managers could do better than me – Klopp
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says there are few managers who could have done a better job at the club than him.
Klopp has yet to win major silverware two years after being appointed following Brendan Rodgers’ sacking.
Defeat by Manchester United at Anfield on Saturday will leave the Reds on 12 points from eight games – the same tally as when Rodgers was dismissed.
“I don’t think I am perfect but it’s quite difficult to find better options,” said Klopp, 50.
Liverpool have won only once in their past seven games in all competitions and are seventh in the Premier League, seven points behind both Manchester clubs.
They are out of the Carabao Cup and remain without a win from two games in the Champions League.
Klopp said: “If they sack me now, I don’t think there would be a lot of managers who would do the job better than I do.
“There’s not the biggest distance between us and the top teams.
“If I came in today as the new manager and if everybody would give us this kind of time to take the next step, that would be perfect.”
Kenny Dalglish, one of Klopp’s predecessors, agrees with the German that patience is required.
“If you buy well enough then you can compete,” said Dalglish, who won the title three times in charge of Liverpool between 1985 and 1991. “You don’t have to do it in one transfer window, it may take four or five.
“I think it is society. People are used to instant solutions but it doesn’t work in football.
“A bit of patience doesn’t go amiss for anyone who wants to be successful.”
Mourinho expects atmosphere of ‘animosity’
United manager Jose Mourinho says it “will be beautiful” to take his side to Anfield, despite expecting an atmosphere of “animosity”.
The Red Devils would go 10 points ahead of their rivals with victory on Saturday, while Liverpool will hope to win at home for the first time since August.
“We know that the fans have huge animosity against us historically, but this is what we want,” Mourinho said.
“I never see a player complain: ‘Oh, this atmosphere was very strong.'”
Match facts
Head-to-head
Liverpool have failed to beat United in six Premier League games since since a 3-0 victory at Old Trafford in March 2014 (D2, L4).
United have won three of their past five league visits to Anfield (D1, L1), keeping clean sheets in the past two games.
Liverpool
Liverpool have lost just one of their past 14 home games in all competitions (W8, D5).
However, they have only one victory in their past seven league and cup matches (D4, L2).
Klopp has only lost once in seven competitive meetings with Mourinho (W3, D3).
Coutinho has registered nine goals and three assists in his past 12 Premier League games.
Manchester United
A win on Saturday would give United a Premier League club record 22 points after eight games.
They have kept 17 Premier League clean sheets in 2017, three more than any other side.
United have kept eight clean sheets in their past nine league games.
Lukaku could become the first player to score eight goals in his first eight Premier League games for United.
However, Lukaku has just one goal in his past seven games against Liverpool, failing to register a shot on target in five of those.
Marcus Rashford has recorded five goals and four assists in his past 10 appearances.
