Jurgen Klopp aims dig at Man United as he claims he’s had ‘far more to worry about’ than the Red Devils during his time at Liverpool ahead of crunch FA Cup quarter-final

Jurgen Klopp does not agree that Liverpool‘s rivalry with Manchester United is any bigger or more important than it is with the other top teams, ahead of their FA Cup quarter-final clash at Old Trafford.

Klopp saw Sir Alex Ferguson celebrating his success as a horse-racing owner at Cheltenham last week, but the days when the Scot towered over this fixture and United’s dominance in general are long gone.

United and Liverpool have 67 trophies each, with Klopp clawing back the advantage.

‘I know the famous phrase with the perch but I had other things to think about than Manchester United when I came,’ he said, referring to Ferguson’s pledge to knock Liverpool off theirs.

‘In my first year Leicester won the league, then Chelsea and Manchester City. So nothing (special plans) with Manchester United.

Klopp’s side with face Erik ten Hag’s side in an FA Cup quarter-final at Old Trafford on Sunday

‘It’s not me to think about anybody else. If we face United, yes. If we don’t, they can do what they want. I can’t influence it.

‘I couldn’t start building by thinking, ‘We want to reach there’. I had to go step-by-step.’

A record 9,000 Liverpool fans will be at Old Trafford, adding extra spice to the occasion.

Ticket allocations are more generous for away teams in cup competitions than the Premier League when only 3,000 Liverpool fans are allowed.

‘I prefer home games but if it’s away, I like the FA Cup,’ said the Liverpool manager. ‘You take more people and the away crowd is a real crowd. Our fans will be on their toes and that is important because Old Trafford can create a special atmosphere.

‘The more we have to go against that, the better. This is all or nothing, decided on the day. It is one of those games the whole world will look at.’

The German leaves Anfield at the end of the season but laughed at the prospect of spending his free time at the races.

‘I saw Sir Alex celebrating, with Harry Redknapp as well. I am not into betting or horse racing so far but I don’t know what I will do afterwards. Maybe I meet a horse and fall in love! Who knows? Mr McCann is my favourite horse! (Owned by Liverpool players, named after former press officer Matt McCann.)

‘What I like in this country is so many sports. Football, rugby, golf, tennis, now it’s horse racing. It’s crazy. In Germany with more people, it is just football.’

The Liverpool boss, who won the FA Cup trophy in 2022, likes away games in the tournament

A record 9,000 Liverpool fans will be at Old Trafford, adding extra spice to the occasion

For United manager Erik ten Hag, the FA Cup represents a last chance for a trophy in a disappointing campaign. ‘We have to save the season,’ he said. ‘We have to catch up in the Premier League but now there is an opportunity to win silverware.’

‘We are only three wins away in the FA Cup. Liverpool is a test but we like challenges and can be, to a certain range, relaxed because we believe in ourselves.

‘As a manager, it’s not always going up. Sometimes you have setbacks but you can always look to the bigger picture. I know when injured players return, we increase our level and the results go better.’