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Rob DawsonCorresponding
Bruno Fernandes countered Jurgen Klopp’s suggestion that Manchester United win many penalties, saying that he doesn’t care what people think.
Klopp has hinted that his Liverpool team is less likely to make penalty shots than United.
Prior to the crucial clash at the top of the table between the two teams at Anfield on Sunday, Fernandes, who has scored 15 penalties since moving to Sporting Lisbon’s Old Trafford a year ago, said Klopp’s comments are a tactic to influence referees that he saw before during his time in Portugal.
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“Honestly, I don’t care,” said Fernandes.
“You always see what people say, but I really don’t care. I’m not focused on what they say. I played in Portugal and when you play for Sporting, Benfica and Porto always talk about these kinds of things sometimes to pressure the referee, sometimes just to make noise in the press. But for me, the main point is when we have a penalty, if I am going to take the ball to the penalty spot, I have to do my job. “
United have won six league penalties this season, one more than Liverpool and four fewer than Leicester City’s ten.
Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg said Klopp’s focus on United’s penalties was created to put pressure on Sunday’s referee Paul Tierney.
Fernandes said there is a simple explanation for the number of penalties they receive.
“We have very fast players up front,” he added. “Anthony [Martial] is one of the best one on one players in the box, Marcus [Rashford] it is another that is fast and has fast feet that can take the ball from the defender at any time.
“It’s normal that sometimes because of that [they will be tripped] and they will fall and they will win penalties. It is what it is. People can talk and say whatever they want. But for me and the team, the main thing is to continue to do the right things and when we get penalized, just score. “
United will start at Anfield three points clear of the lead after a 1-0 win over Burnley on Tuesday.
It is the first time since 2013 that they have been involved in the title race at the end of the season.
Liverpool won 19 titles when they became champions last season and Fernandes said he would not like to see them retain the trophy.
“You don’t want your rivals on the same level as you, or with the same amount of trophies as you,” he added.
“So it’s clear to everyone here in the club and in the locker room, everyone knows what it means for the fans. But the main point for us is to know what each game means to us. Every game has to mean the same. We have to go to every game with the same mentality that we have at Liverpool.
“It would be a lot more fun with 21 titles and Liverpool still with 19, of course, but the main thing for us is to continue and do our best in each game.”