Jürgen Klopp: We all have a part to play on Monday night

The Reds return to action following the international break with a mouth-watering clash against their old rivals, with just three points separating the teams in the fledgling stages of the Premier League table.

Klopp is well aware of the quality his counterpart Jose Mourinho has at his disposal and, therefore, is fully anticipating a difficult test for side, who are aiming to extend a run of five consecutive victories.

And in order to achieve that, the German believes it’ll require some help from the stands in the form of supporters demonstrating the best of what Anfield is capable of conjuring up.

The boss told his pre-match press conference at Melwood: “Since a few minutes ago, I am already in game mode. I have this kind aggressiveness that we will need and hopefully I can keep it.

“It’s a very intense game, of course, two good sides and the situations are not that different. I can’t see the big difference in three points [between the sides]. They have big, big quality in their team and we have to respect this, which we will do.

“But of course it is Anfield and we have to show this. We’ve had a few nice atmospheres since I’ve been here, but I am completely open for the best atmosphere that we’ve had and I’m sure it would help. We need everybody with a Liverpool shirt in this game. I am looking forward to it, it’s exciting.”

Watch Klopp's press conference in full

Historically one of the biggest games in football, the fixture will once again be broadcast around the globe - and even with four days until kick-off, there has already been plenty of build-up on television, in print and online over the last week.

Klopp feels his Liverpool players have to harness such surroundings and anticipation by using them to their own advantage where possible.

“You cannot and should not ignore the special circumstance of a game like this,” he stated. “You have to be ready and you probably need to know that for Manchester United this game is more important than for another team who will face us, plus the special quality they have both individually and as a team. You need to make a special game.

“In the end, in a lot of situations, you need to be really emotional but cool. You need to be really direct but patient. It’s not allowed in a game like this somebody has to wake you up, so maybe the first shot from Manchester United – it is something that cannot and should not happen.

“To create a special atmosphere is important. It’s a challenge for us to take the special things from this game and then put them into our usual and normal style, that’s the plan behind it. I really expect a special atmosphere – and when you have a special atmosphere, you to use it and that’s what we should try.”

Klopp continued: “It will never – not for as long as I live, for sure - be a normal game and so we should use this opportunity on the pitch. All the nice stories, all the great stories, about these games were written on the pitch and not around. They were written in the stadium with big, big respect – that’s what this sport stands for.

“You face the biggest opponents and play football against them, that’s the kind of battle we have and where we should really show who is the best in the moment and all that stuff, creating a very special atmosphere.

“In and around [the stadium], and everyone in their living rooms at home or wherever they will watch the game, will be in a special mood. Knowing about this should give us the power for this game – and I hope we can use it.”

Heading into the latest round of Premier League fixtures, Liverpool occupy fourth place in the standings, while United sit in sixth.

One journalist at Melwood asked Klopp whether he viewed this game as being one between two potential title rivals.

He replied: “I don’t think in these categories. The longer you are in the top region of the table, the more likely it is you can fight for something really interesting. That’s what our job is to do.

“In this moment, it is still early in the season – we have 16 points and I’m pretty sure with 16 points you cannot win the league. We should have a few more, but I don’t think about this. It’s a very, very important game – I know this.

“I know about history and I like these special stories around games. I know we can only get three points, or they could – unfortunately – get three points, or we draw, whatever, that can happen, but I think the whole world will watch this game.

“Those who are able to, will try to find a possibility to watch the game – and we have the big honour to be part of it. That’s absolutely great and there’s nothing bad to say about this game. But, in the end, it’s up to us to perform at our best and that’s what we’ll try to do.”