Liverpool manager Arne Slot wants “two percent more” from his team and Anfield fans as they look to end their three-game losing run against Manchester United on Sunday.
The Reds saw their red-hot start to the season end with last-minute Premier League defeats to Crystal Palace and Chelsea either side of a 1-0 Champions League defeat at Galatasaray.
Those defeats saw them usurped at the top of the table by Arsenal, with the Reds’ summer spree yet to bear the fruits many expected, with the likes of Florian Wirtz and British record-breaker Alexander Isak struggling for form.
Liverpool have not lost to United at home since January 2016 but, with the Red Devils showing signs of a long-awaited upturn in fortunes under Ruben Amorim, Slot knows the champions need to up their game upon their return from the international break.
“These players might need me, but I don’t think they need me to tell them what happened,” Slot said in a press conference.
“We lost three by very tight margins. Twice in the last minute, one was a penalty, we should have overturned it on VAR. We shouldn’t depend on the margins.
“Chelsea away is normal. It’s an even game, in part, but the results don’t lie. If you lose three times in a row you have to do better.
“These players don’t wake up at night with that, but we have to be aware of it and respond. We have to create habits if we win or lose, but after three defeats you hope for a spark or one or two percent more from us and our fans on Sunday.”
Since Wayne Rooney almost a decade ago, no United player has scored the winning goal at Anfield, but Amorim’s side have won two of their last three games, an away defeat at Brentford sandwiched by home wins over Chelsea and Sunderland.
United are yet to win on their travels this campaign, although Amorim can reflect on a relatively recent strong performance at Anfield, having drawn 2-2 in this match last season.
“I remember we played well, it was a draw, I was really upset at the end of the match because we proved that we can compete with any opponent,” Amorim said in his pre-match press conference.
“I know it’s not special for our club, I know they fight for the number of titles all the time. I know what it means for the fans, but again it’s just a game where we have to prove that we play better.
“I think we’re playing better. We need to do better in both boxes, so it’s one more game we need to win.”
Team news for Liverpool vs Manchester United
Alisson (hamstring) remains sidelined, meaning Giorgi Mamardashvili will replace in goal again.
Ibrahima Konate is fit despite a muscle injury suffered in the defeat to Chelsea, while Ryan Gravenberch is also available, with the midfielder out in the Netherlands’ win over Finland during the international break.
Meanwhile, Senne Lammens is set to start in goal for United after impressing in the win over Sunderland.
Noussair Mazraoui is set to be sidelined again due to an injury which has kept him sidelined since last month’s Chelsea defeat. Lisandro Martinez will not feature due to a knee problem.
Expected line-ups for Liverpool vs Manchester United
Liverpool: Mamardashvili; Szoboszlai, Konaté, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Jones; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; ekitike
Manchester United: Lammens; Yoro, de Ligt, Shaw; Dalot, Fernandes, Hand, Dorgu; Should, rise; Sesco
How to watch Liverpool vs Manchester United: TV channel, online streaming
Sunday’s match kicks off at 4:30 p.m. BST. Fans in the UK can watch live coverage of the Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, with streaming available via Sky Go.
International viewers can stream the match via Premier League Pass. In the United States, the game is available on the USA Network and on NBC.com.
Liverpool-Manchester United match stats
- Liverpool have lost just one of their last 14 Premier League matches with Manchester United (W7 D6), a 1-2 defeat at Old Trafford in August 2022. Since the start of the 2018-19 season, this is the fewest defeats a team facing the Red Devils more than three times in the competition has had against them.
- Manchester United are winless in their last nine Premier League matches at Anfield since a 1-0 win in January 2016 under Louis van Gaal (D5 L4).
- Liverpool could become only the second team to avoid defeat in more than 10 consecutive Premier League home games against the Red Devils, after Chelsea (10 from August 2002 to February 2012).
- Manchester United beat reigning holders Manchester City 2-1 last season, but have not beaten the reigning English champions away in consecutive league seasons since 1906-07 (Liverpool) and 1907-08 (Newcastle).
- Liverpool have lost their last two league matches after winning their first five of the season. It was not until his 31st league match last season that the Reds suffered their second defeat. Liverpool could lose three consecutive Premier League matches for the first time since February 2021 (4).
Prediction
Liverpool have something to prove after their recent struggles, and with the talent they have in attack, it’s hard to see United putting an end to their woes on their journey in this one. Another heartwarming visit to Anfield looks likely.
Prediction: Liverpool 4-2 Manchester United
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