Jurgen Klopp reacts during Liverpool's draw with Manchester United

Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool have to 'make the game' when they come up against defensive Manchester United

By Tom Carnduff

Football

Sun October 20, 2019 · 5y ago

Jurgen Klopp has expressed his frustration at Manchester United's defensive approach when they come up against his Liverpool side, stating that they have 'to make the game'.

The two sides played out a 1-1 draw in Super Sunday's solo clash, a result that ended Liverpool's long winning run at 17.

Marcus Rashford gave United a deserved lead when he struck in controversial circumstances in the first-half, before Adam Lallana's close range tap-in levelled the score with five minutes remaining of normal time.

Liverpool were furious when the first goal was allowed to stand, with a potential foul on Divock Origi by Victor Lindelof in the build-up.

Despite a VAR check, the goal was given and the Liverpool protests continued as the sides left the pitch at half-time.

Speaking after the game though, Klopp was keen to outline the defensive nature of the Manchester United teams that he has come up against since moving to Anfield in 2015.

Manchester United celebrate Marcus Rashford's goal

"This game everybody builds it up like a mountain," Klopp explained to Sky Sports.

"Ever since I've been in England it's been the same. One team has only to defend and the other team has to make the game.

"We take the point, it's better than no point, but it's not that big a deal that we won something."

On the end of Liverpool's winning run, Klopp said: "It was always going to happen one day so no problem with that.

"These boys wrote in so many departments LFC history. Now we can start a new series and we have to."

Discussing the result itself, the Reds boss added: "The result is now OK. We have to be happy because we got the point.

"In the second-half we had good moments, the first-half I didn't like. You have to pass the ball through the lines. The opportunities were there, we didn't see them."

Jurgen Klopp in discussion with fourth official Jonathan Moss

A VAR check allowing United's opener proved to be crucial in the final outcome of the game, with Liverpool having to settle for a single point.

Klopp was vocal in his criticism of the decision to fourth official Jon Moss moments after, and he remained annoyed by the incident after the game.

"They were better than us and defended well, but in the end they scored a goal that shows all the problems with VAR," he continued.

"Mr Atkinson let the game run on because that is the protocol of VAR, and VAR shows there was contact and it was a foul.

"But we couldn't change that. They still had 60 or 70 yards to run to score the goal, but it's not cool.

"We then scored a goal that was disallowed. Pretty much everything went against us today, but we still didn't lose. We deserved the point, 100 per cent."

It was a much-needed fillip for United boss Ole Gunnar Solksjaer, who has been coming under increased scrutiny after the club's worst start to a domestic campaign for 30 years.

The Norwegian dismissed Klopp's VAR complaints, insisting there was "no chance" Rashford's effort should have been ruled out and saying: "We're not playing basketball. He (Lindelof) touched him but it's not a clear and obvious error."

But he understandably focused on an improved performance from his side.

"I'm disappointed on behalf of players for the effort they put in and the fans deserve more than one point," he said.

"Towards the end of the game it feels worse as well as they put us under pressure but they didn't create too many chances. We soaked up pressure really well, but a lack of concentration and it's a goal.

"We're better when we attack quickly, no dilly-dallying. It doesn't have to be a counter-attack - take more risks, be braver, you can win it back up the field.

"It's the right type of football and being more direct helped us.

"Many times we felt we haven't got the results we deserved, but we need to win games. One point is a start, but we're still disappointed and not excited by getting a point off good teams."

Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool have to 'make the game' when they come up against defensive Manchester United

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