Gary Lineker says Manchester United should take Jurgen Klopp's penalty comments as a big compliment.
After Liverpool's 1-0 loss to Southampton on Monday evening, Klopp made a pointed remark about the amount of penalties Man United have had recently.
The Reds were denied two possible second-half penalties against the Saints after Sadio Mane went down under a challenge from Kyle Walker-Peters and Gini Wijnaldum's shot struck Jack Stephens' hand.
It prompted Klopp to comment: "I hear now that Manchester United had more penalties in two years than I had in five-and-a-half years. I've no idea if that's my fault, or how that can happen.
"But it's no excuse for the performance. We cannot change it, we have to respect the decisions. But we can change our performance. That's our focus now."
Klopp's words come ahead of a huge clash between the two rivals at Anfield on January 17, which is the Reds' next Premier League fixture.
Match of the Day host Lineker feels Klopp has aimed a dig at the Old Trafford club but that they should take it as a compliment.
He tweeted: "Bullets fired. If I was a fan of Man United I'd take that as a massive compliment."
With the loss to Southampton meaning Liverpool stay level on points with Man United having played a game more, Lineker also spoke out on the battle for the top two.
He said: "We might just have ourselves a title race."
His comments come despite United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer consistently playing down the prospect of his side being involved in a title fight.
Lineker also praised Southampton's performance and Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl's emotional reaction to his side's victory.
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"Wow, what a reaction to that victory from Ralph Hasenhuttl," he said.
"Great performance from his team. Knocked 'em down in the first half, locked ‘em down in the second."
