Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp spoke of his relationship with Manchester United Interim head coach Ralf Rangnick is on “pause” ahead of Tuesday’s Premier League clash between the two clubs.
Both managers have faced each other during their time in the Bundesliga and Rangnick has influenced Klopp and other contemporary German coaches with gegenpressing Tactical style.
Weekend summary: Can Liverpool really win the Quarterfinals?
– Which Premier League clubs will qualify for Europe?
– Olley: FA Cup semi-final win strengthens Liverpool squad
– No ESPN? Instant access
Before Rangnick moved to Old Trafford, Klopp praises United for hiring an ‘outstanding’ coach but the Liverpool manager said he has not been in regular contact with him since moving to England.
“My relationship with Ralf Rangnick is on pause,” Klopp said at a press conference on Monday. “I didn’t speak to him because he was in England out of respect, but you can see the changes he’s made there and the parts he’s improved on.
“When I prepare for the game against United, I don’t think about Ralf, but about preparing the team.”
Liverpool can go first City of Manchester won first place in the Premier League table with a victory over Man United at Anfield.
Klopp’s side entered the match motivated after defeat Benfica next week Guaranteed a spot in the Champions League semi-finals while also earning their place in the FA Cup final with a Thrilling 3-2 win over Man City on Saturday.
Liverpool put on a stunning display and beat United 5-0 in the reverse fixture in October at Old Trafford but Klopp warned that United remained a dangerous side.
“The Man United that we’re going to face, they’re going to try,” he added. “They want to go to the Champions League. It’s going to be an intense 90 minutes. This time it’s a hugely important game for both teams. That says it all. Both teams are fighting.”
Mohamed Salah scored a hat trick in that memorable game at United but have not been able to score for Liverpool since February’s opening game but Klopp is undaunted by the striker’s form.
“It was a completely normal spell he was going through,” he said. “We talked about physical needs. I like the match with [Manchester] City a lot, it was a really good game, it was only a question of time before he scored again. He’s been close enough a few times already.
“We’ve had a lot of talk during our time working together and at this particular moment there’s no need to talk about the situation, just the usual things about what he’s got to do in the game. and all that sort of thing.”
