JURGEN KLOPP has welcomed a Europa League shoot-out with Manchester United and claimed he wanted Liverpool to be paired with Louis van Gaal’s side in the last 16 of the competition.
Liverpool and Manchester United will meet in Europe for the first time following today’s draw in Switzerland with Tottenham pitted against Klopp’s former club Borussia Dortmund.
The collision between the north west rivals has captured the imagination with Klopp adamant he is happy to face United.
“That’s great, really,” said Klopp. “We deserve these games. It is not easy but you can ask my staff. They asked me yesterday who do we want and I said Manchester United. I think we have to clear something.
“We had a good game when I was here but we lost 1-0 and that was not we deserved that day but that is what we got.
“Life has given us a chance to make it better and that is what we have to do and will try to do. In this round there was no easy game. Manchester United - cool.”
Van Gaal has won all four of his league matches against Liverpool since arriving at Old Trafford.
The matches will take place at Anfield on March 10 and Old Trafford on March 17. United are in FA Cup action against West Ham in between, while Liverpool will have the weekend off.
Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet said: “If you play in Europe you want to get drawn against a European team, but to get Manchester United in a derby is a fixture to look forward to.”
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