Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp does not consider Manchester United underdogs in this season’s title race and has never seen them in that light.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side moved three points clear of the Reds at the top of the table with a midweek win over Burnley and can stretch their lead further with victory at Anfield on Sunday.

Despite their current position the Red Devils are still being referred to in some quarters as not genuine contenders alongside Liverpool and Manchester City but Klopp laughed that off.

“What we had to accept, after a long time when things were just clicking in specific games, they then did not click. That’s the truth.

“It’s not that it disappeared somewhere. It’s just that it has not been exactly as it should be.

“Why should one team click all the time and the other team not?

“We just had to step a little bit back, work on the basics and get strong – as strong as we can be again.

“That’s what we did. That is what we will do. I think that can work.”

Klopp will assess Joel Matip in training before deciding whether to start the centre-back against United at Anfield on Sunday after he missed three matches with a groin problem.

Midfielder Naby Keita, however, will not feature having not played since December 19 due to an ongoing muscle problem.