Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hits back at Jurgen Klopp’s claim that Manchester United set out to nullify Liverpool

Adam Lallana rescued a point late on for Klopp’s title challengers after Marcus Rashford opened the scoring in the first half in a scrappy affair at Old Trafford

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Jurgen Klopp on the touchline (Getty Images)

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer dismissed Jurgen Klopp’s claim that Manchester United set out to defend after his side ended Liverpool’s 17-game winning run in the league.

Adam Lallana rescued a point late on for Klopp’s title challengers after Marcus Rashford opened the scoring in the first half in a scrappy affair at Old Trafford.

Klopp was angered by VAR’s failure to overturn Rashford’s goal after a tackle by Victor Lindelof on Divock Origi in the build-up went unpunished.

The Liverpool manager also appeared to be frustrated by United’s approach and claimed they had set up to defend for a third consecutive Old Trafford meeting.

“It’s just a fact that when we come here, they just defend. It’s OK, no criticism, it’s just a fact,” Klopp said.

Solskjaer hit back by both defending his tactics and Lindelof’s challenge. “We set the team up to attack and be aggressive and create chances and we did that,” he claimed.

“It depends on what you call a counter attack. We’re better when we attack quickly, no dilly dallying.

“It doesn’t have to be a counter-attack. I spoke about it before the game: take more risks, be braver, you can win it back.”

On the VAR incident, he added: “No chance [it’s a foul]. We’re not playing basketball. He touched him but it’s not a clear and obvious error.

“I’m disappointed on behalf of players, for the effort they put in and fans deserve more than one point.

“Towards the end of the game it feels worse as well, they put us under pressure but they didn’t create too many chances.

“We soaked up pressure really well, lack of concentration and it’s a goal.

“There’s loads of different reasons for a team performance but we were more direct, the three front men caused them problems on and off the ball, the energy they had was excellent.”