Klopp 'really looking forward' to Man Utd clash
Jürgen Klopp can't wait for his latest taste of the rivalry between Liverpool and Manchester United having whetted his appetite with last season's Europa League meetings between the sides.
The Reds are back at Anfield on Monday evening for a hotly anticipated Premier League clash with their foes from the other end of the East Lancs Road.
Klopp will be hoping for a repeat of his team's European success against United last term, when a 2-0 win on Merseyside and 1-1 draw at Old Trafford saw LFC through to the quarter-finals.
And he expects a typically raucous atmosphere when Jose Mourinho's team are welcomed again.
“We are really looking forward to what will be a fantastic game at Anfield,” he told the Liverpool Echo, speaking at event in support of the 'Seeing is Believing' campaign.
“Those Europa League games were really nice. Both games were intense and competitive.
“We were better in the first game at Anfield. We had a fantastic atmosphere and the players were inspired by that.
“It was my first time at Old Trafford for the second leg. Maybe people don’t like to hear it, but there was actually quite a good atmosphere there too!
“It changed the game a little bit and it was real proof of what an atmosphere can do. United were on top but we killed that atmosphere with Philippe’s wonderful goal in the 45th minute. From then on it wasn’t that difficult any more.
“It’s a perfect moment for ‘Seeing is Believing’ because this game will have to be seen for people to believe what will happen.”
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After a good start to 2016-17, Liverpool are five places and as many points better off than they were at this point last season in the Premier League.
Reflecting on his team's development over the last 12 months, the boss added: “It’s been a busy, intense year.
“There have been a few ups and a few downs but always with a really optimistic view about the future. I think that’s what we still have.
“It’s a job we have to do. We all enjoy working together and it’s much better when you enjoy it.
“From my side, it feels like a short year! It’s gone like this (clicks fingers). Hopefully I will have many more years here.
“I’ve never thought about the speed or the tempo of our progress, I only knew that we had to get better – that’s how life is.
“Even when you are good, you need to get better because the teams around you all get better too. To stay in the race, development is everything.”