They just defend against us – Klopp irked by United setup

Liverpool could only leave Old Trafford with a 1-1 draw on Sunday, leaving Jurgen Klopp bothered by Manchester United's tactics on Sunday.

Published : Oct 21, 2019 11:36 IST

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was frustrated by United's defensive tactics on Sunday.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was frustrated by United's defensive tactics on Sunday.
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Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was frustrated by United's defensive tactics on Sunday.

Jurgen Klopp hit out at Manchester United because he believes it just set out to defend whenever it plays against Liverpool following Sunday's 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.

Liverpool managed to salvage a point and keep its unbeaten run intact thanks to Adam Lallana's late equaliser, cancelling out Marcus Rashford's opener.

Rashford's goal itself was a cause of controversy as Liverpool was adamant Divock Origi had been fouled by Victor Lindelof in the build-up, but it was allowed to stand even after a VAR review.

Premier League leader Liverpool had the better of the match and finished with 68 per cent of the possession, though only had three more shots than Sunday's host.

READ | Key Opta facts from Man United vs Liverpool clash

Yet Klopp – who insisted he was not frustrated – could not help himself from having a pop at United's setup.

"It doesn't frustrate me," he said. "I'm not the person who should be concerned about this style.It's just a fact that when we come here, they just defend. It's okay, no criticism, it's just a fact.When United plays Liverpool, usually you'd think both teams would play like this [like Liverpool], would try [to win].

"We are the one team everyone is on their toes when United play us. With the quality they have, the way they set up is really difficult. It's no excuse. I thought we could do better, but you cannot play each team like this.We don't have to say it's a compliment. It's just that we are a good team and it's normal that people think how they can stop us. We had a big say in that – we stopped ourselves.

"But of course, United defended really well and then had the speed with [Daniel] James and Rashford. They chip the ball in behind and then the race is on. That's not cool. We defended that okay, but we should have played much better football. That's what we expect of ourselves. No criticism or judgement of United, it's just about ourselves."

Solskjaer: We are not playing basketball!

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer scoffed at Jurgen Klopp's claim Manchester United's goal in the 1-1 draw with Liverpool should not have stood due to a foul, the Norwegian reminding his counterpart they are not playing basketball.

United controversially took the lead late in the first half at Old Trafford when Marcus Rashford converted from Daniel James' cross. But Liverpool was angered by the failure to award it a free-kick in the build-up after Victor Lindelof appeared to catch Divock Origi. After a VAR review, it was decided referee Martin Atkinson did not need to consult a replay, allowing the goal to stand despite Liverpool's protests.

"No chance," Solskjaer said when asked if he felt it was a foul. "We’re not playing basketball. He touched him, but it's not a clear and obvious error. I don't think it's a foul."

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