Jurgen Klopp sends heartfelt message to in-form Marcus Rashford ahead of Liverpool vs Man United clash

Jurgen Klopp sends heartfelt message to in-form Marcus Rashford ahead of Liverpool vs Man United clash

Jurgen Klopp admits it’s hard to be happy for Manchester United

When managing Liverpool, Jürgen Klopp acknowledges that it is nearly impossible to be pleased for Manchester United, but the in-form Marcus Rashford is an exception to the norm.

Erik ten Hag has guided United to a steady ascent, and on Sunday, they won the Carabao Cup to earn their first trophy in six years and keep themselves in the running for an unexpected treble.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp(Getty images)

The ascension of Manchester United coincides with a challenging season for Liverpool. However, they have struggled to handle the intensity of games in midfield and frequently find themselves outclassed. Klopp’s team has once again been decimated by injuries, this time to several of their star forwards.

Four successive clean sheets and ten points from a possible 12 have revived Liverpool’s hopes of a top four finish, making Sunday’s clash with United at Anfield all the more important.

Speaking ahead of the game, Klopp acknowledged that it’s difficult to be take positives from United firing on all cylinders – but the German reserved special praise for the return to form of Rashford, who has been absolutely sensational post-World Cup after a troubled 2021/22 campaign.

“It’s pretty much impossible to be happy about something positive at Manchester United when you are the Liverpool manager – but I am really happy for Rashford because he had a very difficult last year where he was not performing on the level that he is able to perform,” Klopp said.

“I knew this would change again but sometimes in life we don’t have enough time to change it. Now he is playing incredible. His speed, his technique – it is a mix of everything. How calm he is in front of goal. He scores worldies, he scores the simple ones, he can put his head in. All these kinds of things.

Klopp did admit that his concerns for Sunday’s game extend beyond Rashford though, adding of his United teammates: “We have to defend against that collectively. He is not their only world-class player. I really like [Bruno] Fernandes. His movement is really smart. I like the way he shows up, all of a sudden he is there.

“Casemiro is also linking up with Fred alongside him. The man-marking way they defend makes it really physical. They also have the counter-attacks and the other winger, whoever that may be – [Jadon] Sancho – and up front, the Dutch fella [Wout Weghorst], is really physical, so it is a good set-up.

“It is obviously not a team built up for the next 20 years because of the players they have signed. It is for now – but now they are really good.”

In other news, Famous Journalist shares interesting transfer update as Liverpool target makes final decision