Liverpool face a gargantuan league conflict with Man United this weekend, however has the luck lastly run out for Erik ten Hag’s unconvincing crew?
Jurgen Klopp‘s males had been dumped out of the FA Cup at Outdated Trafford final month, so revenge is within the air this weekend.
Liverpool head to Manchester on Sunday for certainly one of their trickiest remaining video games within the Premier League title race, with their rivals an unpredictable outfit.
Type can exit of the window on this fixture, and Ten Hag’s facet are nonetheless battling to get into the Champions League subsequent season, so successful shall be a tricky ask.
Forward of a large event down the M62, we spoke to former Morning Star sports activities editor Kadeem Simmonds (@KadeemSimmonds) to listen to about Man United‘s woes, Liverpool’s title cost and many extra.
Since we final spoke in December, have issues acquired higher or worse?
Had you requested earlier than Brentford final week, I’d have stated issues have improved.
Key gamers had returned from damage, there may be an FA Cup semi-final in opposition to Coventry to look ahead to and momentum was on Man United‘s facet.
Now, the crew as soon as once more appears misplaced, and whereas they will’t play worse than they did in opposition to Brentford, it’s exhausting to think about issues getting higher when gamers return.
Will Erik ten Hag final the summer time?
The idea amongst United followers in the meanwhile appears to be that defeat to Liverpool, on prime of Thursday’s dramatic loss at Chelsea, would be the finish of him.
I believe outcomes at this level don’t matter, it’s the very fact United appear like they don’t have any plan A, not to mention a plan B – that shall be his downfall.
Accidents have performed a job, however there is no such thing as a crew form or cohesion on a week-to-week foundation.
Ten Hag has been in cost for 18 months now and the crew ought to have a transparent id, no matter who performs. Holding him as a result of there may be no one else to switch him just isn’t a cause to maintain a supervisor.
Different coaches on the planet can implement a method that isn’t turgid – take a look at Ange Postecoglou at Spurs, for instance.
Who’ve been United’s greatest and worst gamers this season?
For the very fact he’s been out there all season and appears to have gained the battle at right-back, Diogo Dalot will get the nod.
Kobbie Mainoo is the apparent alternative since his introduction to the primary crew in November, however Dalot edges it for me.
By way of the worst gamers, nobody has been terrible.
Marcus Rashford hasn’t been his greatest, however he hasn’t precisely been helped by having Victor Lindelof play left-back at occasions and the crew trying clueless going ahead.
The worst participant for me goes to Antony. He has been non-existent this season.
No aim contributions within the Premier League – his FA Cup heroics don’t make up for a way lacklustre he has been general.
Who would you ‘like’ to see win the league?
Man Metropolis. I don’t need Liverpool to win the league in Jurgen Klopp’s last season, and I’m from London and have a great deal of associates who’re Arsenal followers.
Seeing them lose is nice and I can’t have them successful a league earlier than United.
Each golf equipment had been of their banter period a number of years again and now take a look at them!
As for Sunday, what’s it about this fixture that usually means kind goes out the window?
United beneath Ten Hag, particularly at residence, discover a strategy to flip up and make the sport fairly ugly and nick a win.
However normally, gamers do appear to present that bit additional on this sport as a result of the ‘bragging rights’ make shedding not an choice.
The place will the important thing battles happen?
Between the Liverpool attackers and the United aim.
I anticipate the Reds to breach United at will, and it’s whether or not Andre Onana can preserve Mohamed Salah and firm at bay for 90+ minutes.
It gained’t be as hectic because the FA Cup sport, and I believe we used up all our luck in that match.
Should you may solely have one Liverpool participant at United, who would it not be and why?
Virgil van Dijk. We’d like a centre-back to play alongside Martinez and there are none higher within the league than him.
Plus, I don’t like every other Liverpool gamers so it was a straightforward alternative!
Lastly, what’s your prediction?
Man United 1-3 Liverpool.
