Boss Louis van Gaal has emphasised that Manchester United are looking ahead to today’s Europa League last-16 second leg against Liverpool only thinking positively about their prospects of turning the tie around.

United lost last week’s initial encounter with Juergen Klopp’s side 2-0 at Anfield. In the previous round, Van Gaal’s men bounced back from a 2-1 first-leg defeat at FC Midtjylland to beat the Danish outfit 5-1, 6-3 on aggregate.

And Van Gaal said of the Old Trafford match: “We only have to think about beating Liverpool.

“We have to beat them 2-0, not 3-0, in 90 minutes. We have to do it 2-0, and then we have the chance in extra time. First it’s 2-0 and you know we have scored goals within three or four minutes this season, so it is possible.

“Our aim is to beat Liverpool and if we can do that with a two-goal difference without conceding, fantastic – then we have extra time and we have our home fans.”

Klopp is confident the atmosphere at the stadium will not cause a problem for Liverpool.

“It is loud when all the people hate you, but I can’t understand what the crowd are singing so it’s easy for me,” he said.

“Our performance will help de-cide how good the atmosphere is.”

The two clubs’ Premier League colleagues Tottenham are also in round-of-16 action this evening, hosting Borussia Dortmund and trailing 3-0 from the first leg.

Although they appear in a comfortable position, Dortmund captain Mats Hummels says the German side are keen to go in search of another goal to kill off any remaining Spurs hopes.

“We are aware that we are the clear favourite for the next round,” said Hummels, quoted on Dortmund’s official website.

“We want to prove that in the game and remove any last doubts with another goal.”

Last 16 (second legs)

Today: 19.00 kick-offs
B. Leverkusen vs Villarreal (0-2)
Lazio vs Sparta Prague (1-1)
Valencia vs Ath. Bilbao (0-1)

Today: 21.05 kick-offs
Anderlecht vs S. Donetsk (1-3)
Braga vs Fenerbahce (0-1)
Man. United vs Liverpool (0-2)
Sevilla vs Basel (0-0)
Tottenham vs B. Dortmund (0-3)

Note: In brackets results first legs