Football
Glenn Price, Liverpool correspondent 5y

Solskjaer getting Manchester United job full-time is 'clear' - Liverpool boss Klopp

LIVERPOOL, England -- Jurgen Klopp believes there is "no doubt" that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will become the permanent manager of Manchester United.

Solskjaer has guided United to 11 wins in his 13 matches as caretaker manager since replacing Jose Mourinho, whose last match in charge was a 3-1 defeat at Liverpool back in December.

Sources told ESPN FC at the time of Mourinho's sacking that Tottenham Hotspur's Mauricio Pochettino was the top target to become full-time boss, although Klopp feels that job now belongs to Solskjaer.

"Of course, that's clear," Klopp responded when asked if Solskjaer belonged at this level. "We all needed luck in our managerial career.

"When I went from Mainz to Dortmund, people said I have no international experience. It was true, but it's not something you can buy or whatever. You have to make it.

"If Ole is not a former player of Man United then he would not have made a move from Norway to Manchester United, that's clear. But you get the chance and you have to use it.

"He showed everything what you need, together with his coaches. They made a few smart decisions there and it worked out.

"Because of different things, you score this goal not and concede here a goal then it goes in the other direction. But he has the quality and had the luck in the right moment.

"Now he's in charge and there's no doubt about that he will be the manager next year as well. That's clear.

"Can you imagine one situation when they say: 'We bring in another manager'? He deserved that 100 percent. He made everything what you have to make to be successful with them."

Klopp was speaking to the media at Melwood ahead of Liverpool's trip to Old Trafford on Sunday. Liverpool can reclaim top spot of the Premier League if they avoid defeat at the home of their fierce rivals.

"I knew about the history of it [the rivalry] before I came here," Klopp said. "And it's all good, but we cannot make the game bigger because it is in a decisive moment.

"We have to do the best we can do and, if possible, a little bit more. I know what you all have in your minds, that for us it's the worst moment to face Man United and for them it's the best moment to face us, stuff like that.

"It's only important that we show we are really ready for the game and, if possible, win it."

Dejan Lovren will miss the game with his hamstring issue, while Klopp said he had no other pressing injury concerns.

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