Jürgen Klopp declared he was delighted with Philippe Coutinho's "genius moment" that helped Liverpool moved into the quarter-final of the Europa League at the expense of their bitter rivals Manchester United.
The Brazilian’s moment of magic, just before half-time, gave Liverpool a crucial away goal and punctured the Old Trafford atmosphere as Klopp’s men went on to seal a 1-1 draw and win the tie 3-1 on aggregate. Klopp also offered the suggestion that the game was effectively Liverpool v David de Gea following the goalkeeper’s impressive showing seven days earlier at Anfield. The draw for the next round takes place on Friday.
“It was nice and intense,” Klopp said. “You could feel the atmosphere again. They tried to play really offensive but we had our chances, it was Liverpool v De Gea. He was unbelievable again. We scored an unbelievable situation. Fantastic. The game changed. He [Coutinho] is a young lad still but he thinks about it. It was a perfect game and Philippe’s goal a genius moment.”
Asked who he would like to meet next, the former Borussia Dortmund head coach said: “All my friends in Dortmund want to play us – but only in Basel [in the final]. Dortmund? Of course not. Why should I want the strongest team in the next round? If we have to go there, we will try to win but there are no easy games any more in this competition.”
Jordan Henderson was ill at half-time and Klopp replaced the captain after 71 minutes. "Jordan vomited at half-time but then said he felt better. Everyone knows this feeling," he added. "We knew they would show a reaction [from the first leg] and of course it was much more intensive from Manchester United than the first game.
“They were really direct with long balls to [Marouane] Fellaini and it was hard to react. We had a few problems in the first half, they won too many second balls but when we got the ball and used the time we had, and we often had more time then we thought, we created big chances. But De Gea had another good night in what has been a successful career.
“They got a penalty, I thought it was a penalty. I was very happy in the minutes before half-time because twice we reacted quicker than the opponent. Phil produced his brilliant moment and of course it decided the game.”
His opposite number, Louis van Gaal, claimed to be pleased with the United team. "I am not angry and I am not frustrated," he said. "I was very proud of my players. I was very pleased that the fans also recognised that. They applauded after the match despite the fact we were out of the Europa League. That was remarkable, I think. But we have played like Liverpool played in the home match at Anfield. We have done that. We have created a lot of chances in the first half. We scored a penalty and then had chances from [Jesse] Lingard, Juan Mata, Fellaini."
United now have to win at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday to close the four-point gap on their other major rivals, who are in fourth place. “We have to beat Manchester City because it is another chance to qualify for the Champions League,” said Van Gaal. “Manchester United always has pressure because expectations are very high. The pressure for these players is also very high. We know that and we can cope with that but we were not lucky.”
At the end a scuffle appeared to breakout involving some Liverpool fans who had entered a United section of the ground. Uefa may investigate this to decide if any sanctions are required.
