Jurgen Klopp cautioned Manchester United that they risk defeat against Arsenal next month if they replicate their performance against Liverpool.
Following Liverpool’s draw against United, Klopp urged his team to maintain composure despite relinquishing the Premier League leadership.
With Arsenal now the new leaders, United have the opportunity to aid Liverpool by facing Arsenal in the season’s penultimate weekend.
However, Klopp expressed concern that United must elevate their performance to stand a chance against Mikel Arteta’s side.
“Probably,” said the Liverpool boss, when asked if he would be cheering for United on 11 May. “If we are still around then that would be great.
“But Arsenal are a good football team. If they [United] play like today, Arsenal will win the game, I am 100% sure. I am sorry to say that.”
Sunday’s match was Liverpool second visit to Old Trafford in three weeks – and they had a total of 53 shots over those two matches, yet won neither.
They were beaten 4-3 in an FA Cup quarter-final on 17 March, and have now dropped what could be two crucial Premier League points in their battle with Arsenal and Manchester City.
“It is a fact we should have won both games but didn’t,” Klopp said.
Nevertheless, he added that Liverpool supporters should not lose faith in their club’s ability to mark the German’s final season at Anfield by winning a record-equalling 20th title.
“To the whole Liverpool community, just stay calm,” he said.
Liverpool’s goal difference trails Arsenal’s by nine, although they maintain a one-point lead over Manchester City.
Despite having fixtures remaining that could potentially boost their goal difference, Klopp believes it would be misguided to prioritize this aspect.
He said: “People will tell us we need to better our goal difference and to go for that but that would be the dumbest thing we could do.
“That doesn’t happen on purpose, you don’t go into a game wanting to score eight goals and it happens.
“I knew it would be super tricky until the end. Until yesterday we were top, now it’s Arsenal and – I don’t know when – then it may be somebody else.
“I’m not over the moon about it. It’s not the best result I have ever seen but I am fine with it. You shouldn’t do what we do today constantly, that won’t be enough. Definitely not. But we know that.
“We want to be there after the last matchday. It’s obviously better to be there the whole time and have distance between you and the others. But we will keep going with all that we have.”
Kambwala steps in for ‘old soldiers’
Erik ten Hag, the manager of United, was all praise for Willy Kambwala, a teenage defender.
The 19-year-old France youth international was starting for the first time as a senior, partnered with Harry Maguire in central defense following injuries suffered by Jonny Evans and Raphael Varane during Thursday’s loss at Chelsea.
Ten Hag stated that neither was expected to return anytime soon, and Kambwala is expected to see more playing time as a result of Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof’s month-long absences.
“When old soldiers die, new ones have to come in,” said Ten Hag.
“Willy is training with us for a long time. He started at West Ham [in December] and did very good and his progress is amazing.
“We didn’t have any doubts. We were convinced he could do the job. It’s another signal and message for the future of Manchester United.”