Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has brushed off Jurgen Klopp’s claim that Manchester United only ever defend against Liverpool, suggesting that it was a compliment.

After United’s 1-1 draw with the league leaders at Old Trafford in October, Klopp noted the lack of ambition shown by Solskjaer’s side.

“I am not the person to be frustrated it is just a fact when we come here, last year, this year, the year before, they just defend,” he said. “That’s OK.”​

Klopp is yet to beat Solskjaer’s United in two attempts, having also drawn 0-0 at Old Trafford last season, but will face him at Anfield for the first time on Sunday.

Solskjaer is likely to tell his players to sit deep and try beat Liverpool on the break, and he does not see anything wrong with that style of play.

“I don’t think it’s an accusation,” he said on Friday, when reminded of Klopp’s comments. 

“I take it as a compliment that we’ve defended so well that they’ve not really created chances against us. 

“When the opposition manager is frustrated that’s a good sign for you as manager – that our boys have done well. 

“I think we’ve been closest to winning both those games so I don’t know what the problem has been.”

Solskjaer was also not concerned by suggestions that the United bus could receive a hostile welcome to Anfield on Sunday.

Liverpool were fined €20,000 by Uefa after Manchester City’s bus was hit by projectiles ahead of a Champions League quarter-final in April 2018.

“No safety fears, no,” Solskjaer said. “Of course they want to try to intimidate us but as long as it’s within the boundaries.

“I’ve been sat in a coach or bus going to Europe or to Anfield and whatever they shout and scream you don’t really notice, that’s just part and parcel of these games.”

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