Jurgen Klopp offers Manchester United sympathy after Liverpool's 9-0 wins this season

Jurgen Klopp refused to rub salt into Manchester United's wounds after Liverpool recorded a second crushing victory against their old rivals this season.

Having won 5-0 at Old Trafford earlier this season, Liverpool won 4-0 at Anfield to emphasise the gulf in class between the two teams.

Klopp's side led 2-0 at half-time after early goals from Luis Diaz and Mohammed Salah and completed the rout after the breakthrough Sadio Mane and another Salah goal.

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United were without six senior players for the Anfield fixture, with Raphael Varane, Luke Shaw, Scott McTominay, Fred and Edinson Cavani all injured, while Cristiano Ronaldo was on compassionate leave.

McTominay was on the bench but hadn't trained and was there for emergencies only, while the injury problems mounted up when Paul Pogba limped off early on.

Klopp said those issues affected United and helped to explain why they had found the going so tough at Anfield.

"I am not here to humiliate opponents. We did what we had to do in the [two] games," said Klopp.

"They played without their centre midfielders and when you are in a difficult situation like United before the game, Paul has to go off and it is not easy to play against us.

"9-0, I am not interested in that is something for the supporters if they want to celebrate. I know it will not last forever, they will strike back."

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