Quarter-finals of Europa League: Klopp wants 'fearless' Liverpool against United

Jurgen Klopp insists neither he nor Liverpool are scared as the club look to make good on a 2-0 first-leg lead and see off Manchester United for a place in the quarter-finals of the Europa League.

United will be desperate to overturn the deficit from the first leg when the arch-rivals meet at Old Trafford on Thursday.

But Klopp was adamant that Liverpool, who outclassed United at Anfield last week, must be "brave and aggressive" in the second leg after twice losing to their old foes in the Premier League this season.

"It's football. The ball is round. Anything can happen," Liverpool manager Klopp told an Old Trafford news conference on Wednesday.

"I'm not scared or anything like that. I'm not afraid.

"It's football. We have the chance. We made the best thing we could do in the first game. We made our position a little better.

"Not perfect -- it's not five or six-nil, it's not a holiday tomorrow (Thursday)," added the German.

Victory for Liverpool would end United's interest in yet another competition this term and add to the pressure on manager Louis van Gaal.

Klopp, looking to win his first trophy since arriving on Merseyside after seeing Liverpool beaten on penalties in the League Cup final by Manchester City, was prepared for a United backlash.

"It's hard work but I don't have a problem with this," he said.

"We want to take this chance for us. A lot of times in life you don't get what you want but tomorrow (Thursday) we have the chance to work for it and that's what we will try and do," the German added.

"Since I have been here, this is the third time we play United and we have always been in the game.

"The world doesn't change overnight. There is a chance for United, 100 percent but we know that we know how to play them. That doesn't mean it is easy. We have to be brave, concentrated, aggressive in a legal way. That is all clear."

- 'Breathe at the stadium' -

While United opted not to train at Anfield the night before the first leg when they were the visitors -- and travelled to Merseyside on the day of the game -- Klopp has stuck to his regular European campaign to give his side the best possible preparation.

"I always enjoyed it when I played with my former clubs in European tournaments to breathe at the stadium where you play the next night," the former Mainz and Borussia Dortmund manager explained.

"I like to imagine what can happen and there was no doubt we would take the opportunity to do it."

Liverpool outplayed United in the first leg to win with goals from Daniel Sturridge, from the penalty spot, and Roberto Firminio.

Klopp's side have climbed to within three points of United in the Premier League, with a game in hand.

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson was confident their improved form could carry them into the last eight of the Europa League as the Reds chase a first piece of European silverware since the 2005 Champions League.

"I think we can take a lot of confidence from the first leg, but at the same time it's only half-way," Henderson said. "It's another big test but we are going there with confidence and hopefully we can finish the job off.

"It's all about us and if we are firing on all cylinders like we were last week I don't think too many sides can live with us."

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