Monday 16 January 2017 06:34, UK
Jamie Carragher thinks Jurgen Klopp was key to lifting Liverpool in the build-up to Sunday’s clash with Manchester United, helping them to a 1-1 draw with Jose Mourinho’s side.
Liverpool were plagued by injuries and selection issues in the run up to the clash at Old Trafford, while they also put in a poor performance when beaten by Southampton in the first leg of the EFL Cup semi-final in midweek.
In contrast, United were riding the crest of a wave heading into the match after a run of six straight victories in the league.
However, Klopp was full of positivity ahead of Sunday’s match and Carragher thinks that was crucial in helping Liverpool to a share of the spoils.
“I feel one of Jurgen Klopp’s biggest strengths is lifting people and going into this game there was trepidation with Liverpool supporters,” the Sky Sports pundit told Super Sunday.
“The run Manchester United were on, seeing Liverpool’s performance at Southampton, the injuries they got and then you see the team-sheet with the young lad playing at full-back but the way Klopp’s handled the press by saying he can’t wait for the game and he’s looking forward to it was excellent.
“Every other Liverpudlian was thinking it was going to be difficult and that they’d take a draw before the game.
“From a Liverpool point of view, and any team really, when you are winning with six minutes to go it does feel like two points dropped but in the morning you can look at it and say it’s one point gained and you are back up there close to Chelsea.”
Liverpool took a 27th-minute lead thanks to James Milner’s penalty after Paul Pogba handled the ball in the penalty area.
But United hit back six minutes from time through Zlatan Ibrahimovic to grab a point, and Carragher thought Liverpool missed Sadio Mane, who is on international duty with Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations, in the closing stages.
“It’s another game that you look and think what might have happened if Liverpool would have had Mane,” the former Liverpool defender said.
“Divock Origi was giving the ball away that much he had to come off and he’s the only one with pace so there was a front three who didn’t really penetrate in behind.
“If Mane had been playing I think he would have made a massive difference.”
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