Liverpool backed to ‘unsettle’ Man Utd who ‘haven’t really shown up’ over one theme under Ten Hag
Liverpool have been urged to “unsettle” Man Utd during their big match on Sunday after one of their former players pointed to how they can hurt Erik ten Hag’s team.
Last season, Liverpool finished comfortably above Man Utd in the Premier League table. There was a 34-point gap between runners-up Liverpool and sixth-placed United. However, the tables have been turning this season.
When they faced off on the third matchday of the season, Liverpool became the first team Ten Hag beat as Man Utd manager. Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford scored in a 2-1 win for the Red Devils at Old Trafford.
It was the first time United had beaten Liverpool in the league since 2018. Since then, the two rivals have been on contrasting trajectories.
Ahead of the return fixture at Anfield on Sunday, Man Utd are third in the table, 10 points above Liverpool in sixth. Hence, the visitors will be hoping to do the double over their foes.
However, Liverpool will go into the game on the back of a win against Wolves from midweek. Therefore, as well as having their home crowd behind them, they may have a reason for renewed confidence.
And according to ex-Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy, Jurgen Klopp’s team must make a fast start to put United on the backfoot.
Murphy told the FIVE YouTube channel: “I think Liverpool will come out 100 miles per hour. They’ve got to.
“You’ve got to try and unsettle this Man Utd side, a bit like Liverpool did against Real Madrid. The problem there was they couldn’t maintain it past the first 30 minutes and got picked apart.
“But you’ve got to unsettle United and make them uncomfortable. United have got too many big-game players who have been there, done it and got the T-shirt.
“They’ve got players who won’t be fazed about going to Anfield so you’ve got to get after them and unsettle them and not let them get comfortable. For 20-30 minutes you need to go for them and see if you can get the first goal.
“My big concern for Liverpool is if they concede the first goal. What we’ve seen with Manchester United lately is great game-management.
“They can sit in, not go after the game, defend their box and not worry if they haven’t got the ball. So that’s a worry if United score the first goal.
“I would be amazed if Jurgen Klopp didn’t try and get after Manchester United early and get the crowd behind them.”
Murphy makes Liverpool v Man Utd prediction
Pressed for his prediction for the match, Murphy made an accusation about Man Utd’s away record in big games since Ten Hag took charge.
He explained: “I think it will be a draw. I think United will get a draw. They won’t win.
“I think it will be a draw or Liverpool will edge it. I can’t see Man Utd winning, just because of their away form in big games this season. They haven’t really shown up.”
So far this season, Man Utd have lost away games to Manchester City and Arsenal, the only two teams above them in the table. They also only managed to draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in October.
Therefore, Murphy might have a bit of a point. On the flipside, they did manage to draw with Barcelona at Camp Nou in the Europa League, which was a more than respectable away result in Europe.
That was part of the 11-game unbeaten run United are currently on ahead of the Liverpool fixture. Whether they can maintain their form will become clearer from 4:30pm.
