Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has softened the intense rivalry between his side and Manchester United before the pair face off in the FA Cup quarter-finals at Old Trafford.

Often viewed as one of the fiercest rival pairings in world football, meetings between United and Liverpool are highly-anticipated as two of Europe’s elite club sides.

But Reds manager Klopp says he was never interested in a hatred with United when he first arrived at Anfield in 2015 and instead had other clubs to compete with.

Speaking to the media ahead of Sunday’s fixture with United, Klopp said: “I know the famous phrase about the perch, but I had other stuff to do when I arrived here rather than think about Manchester United, to be honest.

“In my first year, Leicester won the league. In my second year, Chelsea won the league. Then Manchester City started winning the league. But there was nothing with United. That is not me. I don’t think about anybody else.

“If we face them, then yes. If we don’t face them, they can do what they want and I have nothing to do with that influence. I was made aware that Liverpool have now won most trophies because I was told about it – but then I forgot it.

“It’s important, absolutely. But as long as we can still win something, I don’t count trophies.”

This season, the German is chasing an unprecedented quadruple as he bids farewell to Anfield. With the Carabao Cup already won, the Reds are behind Arsenal at the top of the Premier League on goal difference and have secured their place in the final eight of the Europa League, where they will face Atalanta in April.

Liverpool sit four places higher in the Premier League this season but no side has ever won more English league titles than the Red Devils.