Louis van Gaal sends message to Man United stars ahead of crunch Liverpool clash

Louis van Gaal sends message to Man United stars ahead of crunch Liverpool clash.

 

Louis van Gaal has told his players to keep their heads at Anfield

And he still believes Liverpool against Manchester United is the biggest game in English football despite both teams currently being outside of the Premier League's top four.

The danger of allowing the passions surrounding the fixture to slip into ill-discipline was underlined in last season's game at Anfield when Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard was sent off a minute after coming on as a half-time substitute.

United have also had several players sent off in recent years at Anfield and Van Gaal wants controlled aggression in a game crucial to the hopes of both clubs of finishing in the top four.

He said: "You can see it at the faces of the players. Last season for example, Gerrard is on and sent off within 30 seconds.

"That doesn't normally happen so much. We need to be aggressive but also be under control in these kind of matches.

"But that is always difficult, because the passion to play these kind of games is always high."

Van Gaal came up against Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp four times in Germany when the pair were managing at Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund respectively.

Their head-to-head stands at two wins each but Van Gaal parted company with Bayern soon after Dortmund had won in Munich for the first time in 20 years in 2010.

And the Dutchman has revealed his respect for Klopp - who he believes has already stamped his philosophy on Liverpool.

He added: "You can see his hand and that is very important when he is the manager.

"You can see a very aggressive and pressing kind of play in Liverpool's game.

"Of course, he has to learn also the Premier League, the rhythm of the Premier League, and I think he knows already the difference between the Premier League and German League.

"But he is very capable to be a manager in the Premier League because he has always played this kind of football and I think the fans shall love it."

Van Gaal dismissed suggestions David De Gea could be tempted this transfer window by a move to Real Madrid, who have been hit with a two-window transfer ban by FIFA.

That has led to fears Real will stockpile players this month but Van Gaal played down the notion of Spain goalkeeper De Gea's head being turned again by Real, after his proposed move to them collapsed on deadline day last summer.

"I don't think that kind of thing plays in the mind of David De Gea," Van Gaal said. "I have never thought that.

"Now I am seeing a De Gea who is enjoying the fact he has stayed here at Manchester United and is playing good games."