Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has described Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool as the best the club has ever had and named Roberto Firmino as the player who inspired him the most.
The former Man United boss suffered a crushing 5-0 defeat at home to the Reds in one of the most dominating displays the game has ever seen at Old Trafford.
Solskjaer has not won any of his seven Premier League games in charge of Liverpool, with his only win coming in the FA Cup fourth round tie in January 2021.
Speaking to The Athletic, the former striker praised the Liverpool side he faced at Man United and even suggested that Klopp had created a better version of the all-conquering team of the 1980s.
“Those City and Liverpool teams were the best they’ve ever had, with fantastic coaches at those clubs,” Solskjaer said.
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær looks dejected as he watches his side get beaten by Liverpool during the FA Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Liverpool FC at Old Trafford. Liverpool won 5-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“I know it’s a bold statement because Liverpool were so good in the 80s, but they were a fantastic side under Jurgen Klopp.”
Liverpool’s 5-0 win at the home of their bitter rivals in October 2021 was a humbling experience for Solskjaer and his players as the manager was sacked less than a month later at Old Trafford.
The significance of that result was not lost on the Norwegian, who added that Roberto Firmino was the player who caused him “the most problems” during his managerial career.
–
In my last season, we played Liverpool at home. I felt the players were ready for it because I felt they were ready when we went to City and won,” he continued.
– We could have sat down and protested, but it was my decision to do so. We lost 5-0. It was more or less 50/50, possession and chances at half-time, but we were 4-0 down.
– I made the wrong decision and that was my lowest point as United manager. Roberto Firmino was probably the opponent who caused me the most problems as a manager.
It is not the first time Firmino has received praise from a rival club, with Man City’s Nathan Ake calling the Brazilian the “toughest” striker he faced earlier this year.
farewell to Anfield in May after eight glorious years on Merseyside where he lifted every major trophy at his disposal.
