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Liverpool and United call for an end to offensive chants

Manchester united fans travel to Anfield on Sunday
Manchester united fans travel to Anfield on Sunday

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp and Manchester United counterpart Erik ten Hag have called for an end to chants about tragedies such as Munich and Hillsborough ahead of Sunday's Premier League clash between the sides at Anfield.

In a joint statement on both clubs' official websites, Klopp said: "We do want the noise, we do want the occasion to be partisan and we do want the atmosphere to be electric.

"What we do not want is anything that goes beyond this and this applies especially to the kind of chants that have no place in football. If we can keep the passion and lose the poison it will be so much better for everyone."

Ten Hag said: "It is unacceptable to use the loss of life - in relation to any tragedy - to score points, and it is time for it to stop.

"Those responsible tarnish not only the reputation of our clubs but also, importantly, the reputation of themselves, the fans, and our great cities.

"On behalf of myself, our players, and our staff, we ask our fans to focus on supporting the team on Sunday, and representing our club in the right way."

Virgil van Dijk

Meanwhile Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk believes adopting a confident and aggressive approach against Manchester United can help propel the club back towards the top four.

Three wins and a draw, accompanied by four clean sheets, mean Klopp's side head into Sunday's encounter in a much better Premier League position than a month ago, when they lost 3-0 at Wolves.

United are the top-flight's form team, with their 23 points amassed post-World Cup the most of any side, while they also won the Carabao Cup last weekend.

But Van Dijk is not apprehensive ahead of the Anfield clash, saying: "It is a bit of a game on its own.

"It's probably getting all the hype that comes with it and we are the ones who obviously are not in good form and they are absolutely in form.

"But we know what we are capable of and we have to be at our best: players, the fans and the whole build-up towards it.

"Everyone has to feel responsible for getting a good result. It is not easy, it's not easy for fans as well, and sometimes you can get a little bit nervous but we need everyone to be behind us no matter what.

"We could have beaten them there (at Old Trafford in August) but obviously we lost (2-1) and that's the reality.

"But we should be confident, we should be aggressive and I'm looking forward to it because you want to be out there performing and showing what you can do.

"We will give it everything and hopefully it will be a good game on our side and we keep marching on towards that Champions League spot."

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