Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs has confessed that he wanted Liverpool to win the Europa League last season to ensure that they would have a busier schedule this term.
The Reds made it to the final of the UEFA competition but fell just short in the end, losing 3-1 to Sevilla in the final and thus seeing their hopes of automatically qualifying for the Champions League fade away.
Giggs admits to being fearful that United's arch rivals could go all the way in the Premier League this time around as a result of their reduced workload, with Liverpool well positioned with a quarter of the campaign gone thanks to an impressive run of form under boss Jurgen Klopp.
"This might sound strange but watching the Europa League final in May, I found myself wanting Jurgen Klopp's team to win - although not because I enjoy watching Liverpool parade a trophy," he told The Telegraph.
"Quite the opposite - I was thinking months ahead to the implications European football, or the absence of it, would have on their league form this season. I am a Manchester United fan, and I was so long before I played for the club. I grew up in Salford when, 33 miles down the road, Liverpool had the best team in England, and often Europe.
"During that final against Sevilla, it occurred to me that if Liverpool had this season without the draining effect of European football, and had recruited well in the summer, then they would have a real chance of challenging for the Premier League. With a year at the club, Klopp would be better suited to the demands of the English game, his players would be well adapted to his way of playing and they would have no midweek distraction from the task at the weekend."
Liverpool are currently third in the table, locked on 20 points with both Manchester City and Arsenal after nine games.
Daniel Lewis
