Jurgen Klopp leads Liverpool squad on pre-game walk as Anfield stars get in the mood for Manchester United clash... and the bullish German is in confident mood

• e-mail

The Liverpool squad enjoyed an early start on Saturday as they began match day preparations for their clash with Manchester United with a team walk.

The two rivals face off at Anfield on Saturday lunchtime, with United level at the top of the Premier League table with Manchester City and Liverpool occupying seventh place.

Victory at Anfield would be a statement win for either side, and the Liverpool squad were up and out early as they spent time together on a walk round the city in preparation.

Jurgen Klopp led his Liverpool squad on a pre-game walk, early on Saturday morning

Liverpool take on Manchester United in the first Premier League game of the day at Anfield

Manager Jurgen Klopp led the group, while the likes of Jordan Henderson, Mohamed Salah and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all wore a focused gaze as they stretched their legs ahead of arguably their biggest test of the season to date.

United have found their groove, with Jose Mourinho's expensively-assembled squad impressing during the early weeks of the season, but Liverpool boss Klopp has scoffed at suggestions he and his players are unable to keep pace with their Old Trafford rivals. 

'In the moment when I think we cannot be successful — and there is only consolation — I go,' Klopp said firmly. 'Why should I be here as some kind of caretaker until the world creates a manager who can be more successful? That makes no sense. I am really convinced.

Jordan Henderson and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain were up early in order to stretch their legs

Egyptian flyer Mohamed Salah is likely to be a key man as Liverpool look to topple United

'Other managers have different ways to do it. Other clubs have different ways to do it. We have our way. I don't think I'm the perfect manager. I only think I'm the perfect fit for this club. And I feel already much more responsible than maybe I should.

'If your neighbour has a better situation — he's got one more car, he gets to go on one extra holiday — does it mean you can't enjoy your own situation? It's about us being happy, not others. Can we dominate them for the next 20 years without spending the same amount of money? Probably not.

'But can we still be there? Yes, of course. And we want to force this. We want to be consistent, constant at our high level and improve it. Even when we lose a player in the future we want to bring in other players. That's the benefit of a long-term project.'

Dejan Lovren and Marko Grujic walk ahead of manager Klopp and assistant Zeljko Buvac

Klopp and Buvac chat on the walk around Liverpool as they plot to down Jose Mourinho