Jurgen Klopp has criticised the overreaction which greeted Manchester United’s 4-0 humbling to Brentford last Saturday. The Liverpool manager, whose team travel to Old Trafford on Monday evening, believes that such excessive derision of United’s state is out of proportion.
Speaking to the media on Friday morning, Klopp took a personal swipe at Gabby Agbonlahor, who was hosting a phone-in on talkSport during United’s defeat by Thomas Frank’s side. The former Aston Villa striker laid into the United players, describing them as “a shambles” and that manager Erik ten Hag should consider “just packing up”.
In Klopp’s view, the pundit’s comments overstepped the mark and felt he was in no position to accuse others of lacking mentality. “It was not a nice week for United after Brentford,” Klopp said. “We forget how good Brentford are. I watched the first half [at the training ground] and then drove home and listened on the radio to talkSport.
“Gabby Agbonlahor — he lost against us 6-0 [with Villa] in my first year and I couldn’t remember him as a mentality monster on the pitch but what he said about United on that show. I was close to calling in and telling him 'you forgot completely you have been a player'. It was unbelievable [what he was saying] and if ex-players are already going like this you can imagine where everything else is going.”
'Previous results don't help us'
United have lost both of their two opening Premier League games this season and although Liverpool have also failed to win during their stuttering start, Klopp’s team did register comprehensive victories over United last term: 5-0 at Old Trafford and 4-0 at Anfield.
However, Klopp insisted that they count for nothing now and a different challenge will be presented on Monday, despite United’s current struggles. The meeting of the historic rivals represents a chance for Ten Hag to claim a first win since taking charge and a first United league triumph in the fixture since March 2018.
“When we had the two results last year I knew already it would not help for next year," said Klopp, who confirmed striker Roberto Firmino will be fit to start in the absence of the suspended Darwin Nunez, and that defender Joe Gomez is also fit.
“I could not be less interested in the results from last year - different games, different situations. It just helps United to be more motivated if possible. Of course, I would prefer to play them after they win 5-0 but it isn't dreamland, that’s how it is. We drew twice too, so is it better to play us? I don’t know.
“We have to deal with all the situations. The whole world will watch it, let’s see how these heavyweights deal with the situation.”