Jurgen Klopp has hit back at Paul Scholes claim over Liverpool’s clash with Manchester United.
Scholes alleged that Klopp would be ‘rubbing his hands together’ at United falling two goals behind in their Champions League encounter with Atlanta..
This weekend sees the Reds travelling to Old Trafford to take on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side, who are winless in their last three Premier League games.
But Klopp insisted on Friday that Scholes’ assertion could not have been further from the truth and believes the Red Devils remain a credible threat.
“I was watching the game and there was not one second where I was rubbing my hands. There was no reason for it,” said the Liverpool manager..
“If you watch the game, you could see that Atalanta caused United some problems in the first half but even in that half United had three clear-cut chances, one-on-one situations with the goalie.
“All the things in the second half were a pure power presentation of United.
“They went for it and with the quality they have they can cause any team problems, especially when you stop playing football, which Atalanta did a little bit.
“No, I was not rubbing my hands. I prepare the team for a tough game against a really good opponent.
“I don’t prepare them now for ‘Man United and battle of Britain’ and all these things.
“We are long enough together that we know the importance of this game. We prepare them for a really good football team.”
Sunday will also see Mohamed Salah and Cristiano Ronaldo going head-to-head in the highly-anticipated Premier League meeting between their sides.
With 12 goals from 11 games this season, the Egypt international is in blistering form for Klopp’s side and touted as a future Ballon d’Or winner.
That prolific return has given rise to suggestions that Salah could emulate Ronaldo in claiming this year’s award for the best player in world football.
But Klopp believes it is difficult to quantify which of the pair is more superior.
He added: “Why should we compare Cristiano Ronaldo and Mo Salah?
“Obviously both are world-class players, so that’s how it is.
“I would say even when Ronaldo’s left foot is not that bad, but I would say Mo’s left foot is probably better.
“Maybe then Cristiano in the air is slightly better and the right foot is probably better.
“But speed-wise they are both pretty quick, very desperate to score goals, so maybe that’s it.
“I really never thought properly about that and I’m not too interested in it.”