Liverpool will attempt to end a three-game losing streak in all competitions on Sunday when they host a Manchester United side who could finally gain confidence under Ruben Amorim.
Liverpool (5-2-0, 15 points) lost their lead in the Premier League after suffering a 2-1 defeat to Chelsea before the international window.
Unlike the previous Premier League defeat to Crystal Palace, Liverpool beat the Blues in terms of chances created.
However, for a second consecutive league match, manager Arne Slot’s Reds conceded the winning goal in second-half stoppage time, this time to Chelsea’s Estevao Willian in the sixth extra minute.
It dropped Liverpool a point behind Arsenal at the start of the weekend and puts even more emphasis on one of England’s most historic rivalries.
“If you’ve lost three games in a row and you’re wearing the Liverpool shirt, it doesn’t matter who your opponent is, you have to react,” Slot said.
Hugo Ekitike leads Liverpool with three league goals, and Alexander Isak is still looking for his first following his move from Newcastle United at the end of the summer transfer window. Isak played all 180 minutes for Sweden during the international break, which could mean Ekitike gets the nod on Sunday.
Manchester United (3-3-1, 10 points) entered the break in one of their best streaks under Amorim since he took charge last November.
The Red Devils have won against Chelsea and Sunderland in their last three matches, with a defeat against Brentford in between. Manchester United are yet to win consecutive league matches under Amorim.
Benjamin Sesko scored his first two EPL goals in his last two games, giving some optimism that Amorim have finally found a reliable option at center forward.
Co-owner Jim Ratcliffe recently gave Amorim a public vote of confidence, saying he believes the Portuguese boss should have three years to prove his project is on the right track.
Amorim said those words match what he felt in the club.
“First of all, I can feel it,” he said. “It’s not just this thing that people talk about, but I feel it every day. And, again, sometimes the pressure I put on the team or on myself is way bigger than them. I know it’s going to take time, but I don’t want to think like that.”
–Field level media
