LIVERPOOL, England -- Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp dismissed the idea that Jose Mourinho lacks ambition ahead of Manchester United's visit to Anfield on Sunday.
Klopp's side sit top of the Premier League with United 16 points behind them, and after the last two encounters between the sides at Anfield ended in goalless draws, Mourinho received criticism for his negative team setup.
However, Klopp defended the United boss, and still thinks he is one of the world's top managers.
"I don't think Jose Mourinho ever has a lack of ambition," Klopp told a news conference on Friday. "He just does what he thinks is right, and he's one of the most successful managers in the world.
"It was not a joy for us to play against them having this quality on the other side and then having the ball constantly all the time and trying to have an idea to go around.
"The boys tried everything but it didn't work out. We all have a plan for the game, no problem with that."
Liverpool head into Sunday's game on a high after beating Napoli in midweek to reach the round-of-16 of the Champions League.
"I don't know what the atmosphere was like at the Man United press conference, but here it is rather positive," Klopp said. "We have a few injuries but apart from that it is all positive. From the other side it looks like it is not the best mood -- lost the last Champions League game.
"You all prepare to make it easier for United in that situation, but we have to be angry on Sunday and we will be. We fight for our points.
"We don't solve problems for others, we have our own problems and our own targets and we go for them.
"You want to talk with me about Man United, that's the interesting stuff. Prepare the stories for Monday. Our job is that you have to write on Sunday night the right stories."
Meanwhile, Klopp has said it remains improbable that Liverpool will use the January transfer window to solve their current injury concerns.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has been wearing a protective boot on his left foot and is a major doubt for Sunday's game after picking up an injury the final moments of the Napoli game.
Joel Matip has a broken collarbone and Joe Gomez is out with a fractured lower leg, with both defenders not expected to return until 2019.
"Our situation is like this; if you would have asked me two weeks before if we'll do anything in the transfer market, I would have said: 'Probably not,'" Klopp said.
"Now we have two centre-halves left. Will we do something? It's not really likely because they [Gomez and Matip] are not out for a long time. But we have to judge it new.
"With Trent, it's not as serious as with the other two boys, but of course it's not top-class news -- that's clear.
"It was unlucky as well, especially with Joel. It was the last second of the game, so when you asked me in the press conference about it, I had no idea.
"The rehab already pretty much started, same for Joe, and for Trent it is day-by-day that we judge it.
"It's not cool, but as long as we still have enough players, it is our job to find solutions and we will have a solution for the weekend."
Right-back Nathaniel Clyne has returned from injury and is available for selection again.
"He was unfortunately injured in the last two or three weeks," Klopp said. "Nothing serious, but serious enough that he couldn't even be part of training.
"Luckily, I would say, he is training for four days again now. That's good. Is he ready for 90 minutes? I don't know. But is he ready? Yes."