Liverpool take on Manchester United this weekend in what is an unmistakably big moment for both clubs.
The Reds have had an excellent start to the season, winning two Premier League games out of two, scoring four and conceding zero.
United, meanwhile, have been a little more untidy. They managed a late, 1-0 win over Fulham on the Premier League’s opening night, but fell to a 2-1 defeat away at Brighton last week.
The two managers know each other very well, of course, with Arne Slot meeting Erik ten Hag while they were bosses at Feyenoord and Ajax respectively.
Slot got an early blow in on Ten Hag when Liverpool defeated their arch rivals 3-1 during pre-season. However, Sunday’s game will be a whole different kettle of fish.
Liverpool aiming to banish Old Trafford ghosts
Up until 2022, Liverpool had a fantastic recent record at Old Trafford. They memorably won 5-0 on the ground in 2021/22 and also beat United 4-2 on their own patch the season before that.
However, the last two seasons have seen a return to Liverpool’s struggles in Salford.
The Reds played United on matchday two back in 2022/23, with a late Mohamed Salah goal not enough to salvage a disappointing 2-1 loss.
Then, last season, Liverpool played United twice away. The first was a sucker punch to the Reds’ whole season in many ways, with Amad Diallo’s late winner knocking them out of the FA Cup.
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The second was a dispiriting 2-2 draw which all but ended Liverpool’s title aspirations.
Cody Gakpo spoke recently about how he still harbours disappointment over those games. Gakpo said the two Man United results ‘gnaw’ at him and Liverpool will hope to banish those ghosts on Sunday.
According to pundit Paul Merson, though, Slot’s new-look side will only manage the same result they did last season at Old Trafford.
“I don’t see Man United losing this game,” Merson tells Sky Sports. “I think it’ll be an entertaining 2-2 draw.
Paul Merson justifies his prediction
At this stage of the season, a 2-2 away at Old Trafford would be a much better result for Liverpool than it was last year.
The Reds should have wiped the floor with United in that game, but simply could not finish Ten Hag’s team off.
Under Slot so far, we have not seen the same ragged kind of football which was often on display during matches such as that one. However, Merson feels that the lack of an ‘end-to-end’ type game will actually suit United.
“I think it plays into Man United’s hands that Liverpool will come and play a little bit safer because if this gets into an end-to-end football match, Liverpool have more of a threat and probably have better players all around the pitch,” says the former Arsenal midfielder.
“So, for me I think it plays into Man United’s hands a little bit more with Liverpool the way they will play. But I still think it’ll be an entertaining game, there’s too much talent going forward on this pitch not to be goals.”
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