J¨¹rgen Klopp would have been the perfect fit for Manchester United.

He had made Borussia Dortmund a European powerhouse, playing an exciting brand of attacking football. He¡¯s respected and admired by just about everyone. His infectious personality and ready laugh give him a charisma that lights up our television screens. As much as anything, the German was available, but United decided to stay with Louis van Gaal for another season and eventually Jos¨¦ Mourinho became the Dutchman¡¯s successor ¡ª not a bad option, it must be said.

It was Liverpool who brought Klopp to the Premier League a year ago and for that we should be grateful. On Monday, Klopp and Mourinho go head-to-head for the sixth time and their first Merseyside-Manchester clash. It will be like nothing else they have experienced in their previous five meetings of which Klopp has won three, drawn one and lost one.