Jurgen Klopp was quick to shoot down a Sky Sports reporter's suggestion that Liverpool 's 7-0 win over Manchester United nine months ago had any bearing on his side's build-up to Sunday's disappointing goalless draw.
The German boss accused his interviewer of 'over-estimating' media influence following a wasteful display from the Reds, who missed the chance to go back top of the Premier League despite being widely expected to comfortably beat their great rivals.
United essentially arrived at Anfield in disarray having been hammered 3-0 at home by Bournemouth last weekend. That was followed by a meek Champions League exit at the hands of Bayern Munich on Tuesday, with their problems compounded by having 13 players rendered unavailable.
And Klopp was agitated when the pre-game hype was cited as a potential reason for the failure to take three points: "In the lead-up to the match, from us, not from you I have to say, there was a lot of talk 'It was 7-0 last time, Manchester United are not in good form, Liverpool will run all over them’” said the reporter.
He was then asked “Do you think your team dealt well with the mood around the match, the expectation?" Klopp’s response was predictably cutting.
"I think you over-estimate your influence, slightly,” he said. “We couldn't be bothered about what you say. I would recommend it, pretty much to everyone, not being bothered, because you take it and we have nothing to do with what's said.”
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And the 56-year-old also insisted that over-confidence was not the issue with his team, who had 34 shots on Andre Onana’s goal. In contrast, United were restricted to a sole chance later in the second half, with Rasmus Hojlund denied by Alisson from close range.
"We knew it would be difficult,” he said. “I recognised what you all, whoever….said. That only helps United, nobody else. So why should we listen to that? That was not our problem today."
Klopp’s side are now second in the table, a point off Arsenal after the Gunners won 2-0 at home to Brighton earlier on on Sunday.
Next Saturday brings a potentially pivotal showdown between the two sides at Anfield, but not before Liverpool host West Ham in a League Cup quarter-final on Wednesday.
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