Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has defended his decision to start midfielders Fabinho and Jordan Henderson at centre-back in the goalless draw with Manchester United.

Youngsters Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams were available to face United, but Klopp opted to go with his experienced midfield pairing.

"We played with a six and an eight in the centre-half position," said Klopp ahead of facing Burnley on Thursday. "If you go back, Hendo is an eight, a box-to-box player, and I think Fabinho would describe himself as a six.

"Defensively they did outstandingly well and offensively you can make a positive difference with these kind of players in the build-up and against United you have to build. We did that really well and so that was the thought process behind it. I was never in doubt that they can defend. Now the next game is a different game because some things are similar, the areas they defend and stuff like this, but the way Burnley counter-attacks is different to how United counter-attacks.

"There are differences and we have to make sure we find a solution for that again. How I said, defensively the boys did really well, all of the boys did defensively well since we started the season.

"But we cannot change the situation and asking me if I 'miss' somebody in midfield: if I would think it was better to play them in midfield than in the last line then we would do it. But we thought for that game it's better this way around."