Klopp reveals how Liverpool outsmarted Man United, explains Mane’s handshake snub

LIVERPOOL manager Jurgen Klopp has described what he and his team did on Thursday night to beat Manchester United.

Diogo Jota, Firmino and Mohamed Salah scored as Liverpool defeated Manchester United 4-2 to give Klopp his first win at Old Trafford and revive their Premier League top four hopes.

The hosts scored first through Bruno Fernandes but Liverpool responded impressively to earn the win that took them to within four points of fourth place with a game in hand.

“All football games are obviously different. First and foremost, if the defensive line makes a mistake it’s probably most of the time forced by the opponent,” Klopp said during his post-match interview.

“I thought we had a good game; we were better, so we won the game. We caused them more problems, that’s why we won the game. But first and foremost, I have to say the start in the game was better because we had to adapt to a few things.

“They had an overload on the wings, we didn’t react quick enough from that and that’s how we conceded the goal. Then we did that and you can only create chances from wherever when you play good football – and that’s what we did. 

“Being 2-1 up at half-time – the set-piece from the second goal was obviously absolutely great. We just did what we had to do. They had their system, which we tried to use; in the back of the midfield, they are incredibly strong but if you are flexible you can at least cause them some problems – and we were flexible in midfield and the front line. 

“The passing game from the last line became better and better and so we played a good game. We cannot decide these games early all the time, especially against United, so we had to fight until the end, but who cares? We got it, so all good.”

Manchester United fans staged another protest outside Old Trafford against the club’s owners, but Klopp said it had no effect on his team.

The match was originally scheduled for two weeks ago but had to be postponed after protesters broke into the ground and caused security concerns.

This time Klopp said the protests did not disrupt his team’s preparations.

“No, we were not really aware of that. We got information, something happened to our bus and so we had to change the bus, but it was before we were in [it],” he explained.

“Our ride to the stadium was completely fine, the police did an incredible job. I am not sure if for us they were needed, but they were there and so we didn’t recognise any trouble or whatever. We just heard about it, that there was something, but it didn’t disturb us or our preparation or whatever.”

After Thursday’s victory, Liverpool need to win their final three Premier League games against West Brom, Burnley and Crystal Palace to secure Champions League football ahead of either Leicester City or Chelsea, and Klopp is up for the challenge.

“The good thing is that we anyway play always to win the game, you just didn’t see that too often this season – but that’s more our problem than yours!” he said.

“But we don’t have to change the approach, no. The only thing we can do to get to the Champions League is to win all our games. The only thing that changed in that regard after last night is that if we win all four games then it will be, that was not the case before so that’s the only thing that changed. 

“Apart from that, it’s been clear for weeks what we have to do, that’s why the two draws against Leeds and Newcastle, with conceding goals in the last minute, felt so much like a defeat. I know for supporters, journalists all these kind of things it means, ‘Yes, they won now against United, now they go to West Brom…’ and stuff like this, but we are not like this, thank God. 

“West Brom plays an exceptional second half of the season, obviously. It was tough for them, it was really close and they played some really good football. They are now completely free of pressure so that can lead to anything. So, we take it game by game.” 

The only sour point for Liverpool on Thursday was the little drama at full-time when Sadio Mane refused to shake or fist bump Klopp’s outstretched hand, the forward apparently displeased that he did not start the match.

Klopp explained the reason for Mane’s action.”Yesterday I made a late decision in training, really late, and changed Diogo for Sadio and my players are used to it that I explain that but I didn’t do that yet… and in that moment I remembered it again, so yes, Sadio was obviously slightly angry, but that’s all,” the German said.

Klopp was obviously pleased to get his first win at Old Trafford since taking over at Liverpool since 2015.

He said: “I liked the timing, to be honest I would say we needed it tonight the most pretty much, so we did it. But I know it is very tricky, that’s why it took so long until we did it. 

“But I think tonight it was really deserved, against a team in form, it was really deserved tonight. I am really, really pleased with the way we played. We had difficult moments in the game, but we overcame them and that makes a good result usually. If you finish your own situations off, if you deal with all the setbacks in the game with the goal you conceded and penalty you don’t get, a foul you don’t get and all these kind of things, then you are on a good way to win a football game.”