Liverpool and not Manchester United are on the ropes heading into Sunday’s blockbuster at Anfield.
For the past few seasons, Liverpool have found Manchester United in a slump. But this time around it’s the Reds who are out of form – they are 10 points behind their visitors – and there for the taking.
And the Red Devils must take advantage if they want to end a seven year wait for a win at Anfield.
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There is reason to believe it won’t be one-sided on Sunday. Liverpool’s recent upturn in form has revived their hopes of a top-four finish. They have enjoyed some clinical performances the catalyst in a four-game unbeaten streak in the league (W3, D1), most recently beating Wolves 2-0 at home on Tuesday.
Jurgen Klopp praised United’s short-term turnaround.
“It is obviously not a team built up for the next 20 years because of the players they have signed. It is for now – but now they are really good,” Klopp said at his pre-match press conference on Friday.
“They have turned into a results machine. They are squeezing results out with some really good performances. Top football, and if it is not going so well, they still get results.
“That’s why they are there. Everyone knows it, they are fully in a fight to win the league.”
Marcus Rashford’s career-best tally of 25 goals in all competitions has been a major factor in United’s resurgence.
The England international scored just five times last season and Klopp reserved special praise for the 25-year-old, whom he has previously lauded for his efforts in campaigning to end child food poverty.
“It’s pretty much impossible to be happy about something positive at Manchester United when you are the Liverpool manager but I am really happy for Rashford because he had a very difficult last year where he was not performing on the level that he is able to perform.
“Now he is playing incredible. His speed, his technique – it is a mix of everything. How calm he is in front of goal, he scores worldies, he scores the simple ones, he can put his head in. All these kinds of things.
“We have to defend against that collectively. He is not their only world-class player.”
United were hammered 5-0 at home and 4-0 away in their two league meetings with Liverpool last season.
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