Jurgen Klopp admits he’s ‘happy’ for Marcus Rashford ahead of Liverpool vs Man Utd

Jurgen Klopp has admitted he is ‘happy’ that Marcus Rashford has returned to his best form for Manchester United.

The attacker has enjoyed a superb spell in front of goal since coming back from the World Cup and has already netted 25 times this season in all competitions - his highest-ever tally in a single campaign.

Rashford scored when United last played Liverpool in August, a game which gave Erik ten Hag his first win following his summer switch from Ajax. And the atmosphere has changed a lot at Old Trafford since then, with the Red Devils already picking up silverware this season, are the only side still competing on three fronts and are currently 10 points ahead of the Liverpool in the league.

Ahead of the two sides meeting at Anfield on Sunday, Klopp said he has not been surprised at United’s revival given their summer recruitment, and was asked for his view on the starring role Rashford has played this season.

“First of all, it’s difficult - pretty much impossible - to be happy about something at Man United when you are the Liverpool manager for seven and a half years,” the German said in Friday’s press conference. “It’s not that I watch them and hope they win but I’m really happy for Rashford.

“Very difficult for him last year, he was not performing on the level he’s able to perform. I knew it would change again. Sometimes in life, we don’t have enough time to change it but here, now he’s playing incredible.

"How calm he is in front of goal, he scores worldies, he scores the simple ones, he’s there to put his head in. We’ve played obviously before against world-class offensive players and if you try to do that in a one-vs-one situation, you will always be on the wrong end of it.

“We have to defend it collectively, he’s not the only decisive player. [Bruno] Fernandes’ movements are really smart and surprisingly in there, Casemiro linking up all of this stuff. A new way to defend. The difference in the last few years, a massive difference, man orientated.

“Erik knows Rashford is a real talent. It’s a really good team, how could they not be successful? They have to play us,” Klopp continued. “Super experienced players, [Christian] Eriksen and Casemiro. All over the world, successful, everybody knew how good Eriksen was, Rashford is in the form of his life.”