Liverpool vs Manchester United - Jurgen Klopp relishing 'mother of all games' against United

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp believes their first European meeting with Manchester United is "the mother of all games".

The German did little to play down the highly-anticipated clash with their arch-rivals in the last 16 of the Europa League but, despite the animosity which has existed between the two clubs, he insists United are not the enemy.

He even had some sympathy for counterpart Louis van Gaal after the criticism the Dutchman has faced this season.

"I don't believe in enemies in football I believe in real opponents," said Klopp.

"I have absolutely no problem with Louis van Gaal but the last thing I want is for him to win.

"You can play your best friends but if (they are) in the wrong shirt for 95 minutes you can forget everything, all the common experiences in your life.

"Games like this are the mother of all football games."

Van Gaal is under scrutiny again as, after four successive wins in three different competitions, defeat at West Brom cast the spotlight back on him.

Former Borussia Dortmund boss Klopp faced the Dutchman when he was in charge at Bayern Munich and believes he has been unfairly treated in England.

"United lost their last game but a few weeks ago there was a lot of pressure on LVG and Manchester United and they handled it well and came through," added Klopp.

"If you listened to all the things you (the media) said and wrote you could think there were big problems and three games later they were close to the Champions League."

Striker Daniel Sturridge is expected to return having been rested for the last two matches with Divock Origi likely to drop out.

Right-back Nathaniel Clyne will return at the expense of Jon Flanagan, who is ineligible having not been registered prior to his return to fitness, while there is a doubt over midfielder James Milner after he was sent home from training with illness.

Van Gaal has a 100 per cent record against Liverpool in his four matches since taking over but Klopp does not think that will have any bearing at Anfield on Thursday night.

"I was here for only one of these games," he said.

"We lost and maybe we didn't play our absolute best but we played good enough to win the game but in the end it was one moment what decided the game."

Van Gaal, meanwhile, claims people are "living in the past" if they think United and Liverpool are above Europe's second-tier competition.

The Europa League has thrown up a mouth-watering clash between the north-west rivals, but the fact they are going toe-to-toe in this competition only underlines how far the most successful clubs in English football history have fallen recently.

United and Liverpool have won 20 and 18 league titles respectively, along with a combined eight European Cups - a history of success that Van Gaal believes came during a bygone era.

"In football, it's normal," the Reds manager said of teams falling from the summit.

"It's not normal that one team is dominating for 20 years in a row (as) the champion."

When put to Van Gaal that Liverpool and United had dominated for decades, he responded: "It was another time, it was another time.

"You live in the past and you have to live in the present, I think."

That current state of affairs domestically means the Europa League may well offer both clubs their best chance of reaching the Champions League.

United sit sixth in the Barclays Premier League, three points off the top four, and Liverpool are a place and three points worse off, albeit with a match in hand.

However, Europa League glory would guarantee a place at European football's top table regardless of league performance, adding extra motivation - if any was needed.

"Liverpool - Manchester United is always a big game traditionally," Van Gaal added.

"It's historic and, especially because both teams fight for a Champions League position, it's a big game for both sides."

Marouane Fellaini was on the bench against West Brom on Sunday and is in contention to feature at Anfield, which could also witness Antonio Valencia's return from a long-standing foot injury.

"I don't think (any new players shall be available), but Valencia is of course fit enough to be on the bench," Van Gaal added. "But to play 90 minutes, I don't think so.

"Valencia is coming back, (Bastian) Schweinsteiger is coming back.

"I think a lot shall come back in March but when they come back it is not so easy to decide if they can cope with the rhythm of a match because they are fit to train with us."