Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp has described Sir Alex Ferguson as the “John Lennon of football” and arguably the greatest manager the game has seen ahead of his first encounter with Manchester United, according to the Guardian.

 Klopp said: “I had a few really good moments with Sir Alex. It’s a big honour to talk to Sir Alex. For a manager it’s nearly the best thing you can do, to sit there and listen. I needed 10 minutes to understand what he was saying and then it was OK.

 “Maybe he is the greatest ever, the John Lennon of football or something like this. From my side there is a big amount of respect. What he did in his life as a manager is not easy for someone else to do it.

 “What he said about me? I don’t know. I think it was positive because we had a good time together. It is good that he is concerned but I have to prove it. We need a little time. We can make a big step but not the biggest step. It is Man United, there is enough to think about.

 “It’s a special game for me, the players and the club. I enjoyed the atmosphere against Arsenal but we can do better. Everybody who was in the stadium on Wednesday, if he or she can get tickets again then do it again.”
Liverpool host United at Anfield on Sunday in the first meeting of the sides under Klopp with the visitors sixth in the table, three points ahead of the ninth-placed Reds.