Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp trolled Manchester United by suggesting they will not be able to influence Wednesday’s derby clash with Manchester City on the evidence of Sunday’s 4-0 hammering by Everton.
Klopp’s Liverpool are top of the Premier League table, two points ahead of City who have a game in hand – the midweek Manchester derby.
Many have suggested the trip to Old Trafford is City’s final major obstacle in their title defense after they overcame Tottenham 1-0 at home on Saturday.
United go into that encounter in wretched form, with Sunday’s embarrassing loss to Everton being a sixth defeat in eight matches across all competitions.
Klopp was asked about the importance of the Manchester derby and he took the opportunity to take a pop at United.
“It [the derby] is not something we can influence, and it does not look like United are in a place to, either,” Klopp quipped to Sky Sports after beating Cardiff City 2-0. “What was the [United] score today? 3-0, 4-0, to Everton?”
The German also addressed the situation in his post-match news conference and reminded his players they need to just continue concentrating on one match at a time, otherwise they could become complacent.
“It [the derby] is a normal game, a game they [City] have to play,” he added. “We had to play that game as well and Man United was in that moment obviously in a much better moment when we played them, so it was a 0-0. So, on a good day maybe, it [the derby] is a draw.