Van Gaal: Liverpool Rivalry Runs Deep

Louis van Gaal has come to appreciate the depth of the rivalry between Manchester United and Liverpool, ahead of his fifth competitive meeting with the Merseysiders since taking over at Old Trafford.

The history of the United versus Liverpool fixture extends to 122 years and 194 matches but Thursday's Europa League last-16 encounter at Anfield will be the first time the famous clubs have ever met in European competition.

Van Gaal admits finding it strange to face a domestic rather than continental opponent but fully understands the importance of the clash to fans and says the rivalry is unlike any other he has experienced.

Speaking to MUTV and in his press conference ahead of the first leg, the manager said: "It’s a big game but normally we play against a club in Europe. It’s fantastic for the fans, but only when we beat Liverpool. When you lose, everyone is disappointed.

"The feeling is different here; it’s more deep in the life of the fans. Of course, I have noticed that also in Spain and Germany but it was less deep than here. It’s fantastic to see and it's one aspect why I wanted to come here, to have that experience.

"I like to see it because you can see the heart of the club and also the feeling that they are with you every game. It’s nice for the players, I think, but also nice for the manager."

Should United beat Jurgen Klopp's side on Thursday, van Gaal would become the first manager in the club's history to record five wins in a row over Liverpool. But he is keen to play that down and is adamant he has no winning formula in this fixture. For him, it will be business as usual.

"I don’t have any secret. We have to prepare for the game with the players, and we do that the same way as usual," he said.

"Sometimes I change the approach with the players, depending on the last result. But it’s more or less always the same, with individual and team meetings, with training sessions, with 11 against 11.

"We want to win all the matches, but you cannot win all the matches, which is why it’s unbelievable in my period we have won all the matches against Liverpool.

"I want to win every game and when I lose I’m very disappointed. You can see that – my body language is very expressive, I think. It’s curious that Manchester United have beaten Liverpool so many times in my period, because I have lost matches against other opponents.

"I think it’s also good for me because when I beat teams like Liverpool, then the appreciation is bigger from the fans, so I hope we shall beat them for the fifth time and the sixth time also. More for the fans than for myself because, as I’ve already said, I want to win every game."