Liverpool’s bid to win a quadruple continues with a trip to rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup on Sunday.
The Reds can book a return to Wembley for the semi-finals with victory in this weekend’s sixth-round matchup.
United kickstarted the Erik ten Hag era in Liverpool’s last visit to Old Trafford all the way back in August 2022, while they were chief disruptors in a 0-0 draw at Anfield in December 2023.
So how do Liverpool overcome United this time around?
The 37 shots Liverpool took in December’s 0-0 draw with United was the highest tally registered without a goal in seven years of Premier League matches. Sure, Ten Hag’s men needed some luck to get away with that, but they defended their box well and restricted the Reds’ chances to those from less opportune areas.
On the flip side, Liverpool’s frustrations understandable grew as the game went on. Players started taking potshots. Mohamed Salah and co had a go from anywhere. Anfield became restless and tetchy.
Perhaps playing away will suit Liverpool this time around – how will the United crowd react if the visitors have them backed against a corner, if they make Old Trafford their playground again?
The tie could go to extra-time and Liverpool have more options to change a game than United do. They can’t rush themselves and let their heads get hot.
Though they began the 2022/23 campaign with two underwhelming draws, Liverpool were widely expected to win on their last visit to United. There was so much pressure surrounding Ten Hag immediately following humiliations by Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford that most people forgot about their opponents’ own woes.
The Liverpool team that rocked up to Old Trafford in August 2022 lacked the aggression and ruthlessness typically associated with them. United were good value for their win simply by sticking to their own plan.
Liverpool have had a lot of joy away at United in the Jurgen Klopp era, but they can’t afford to get ahead of themselves here for a second year running.
Klopp won’t change how his side plays. He shouldn’t ever really need to. They’ve earnt that right as one of the world’s best teams, he as one of the best managers.
That doesn’t mean there aren’t tweaks he can implement, however. It’s quite clear United are going to try and hit Liverpool on the counter with the pace of Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and potentially the returning Rasmus Hojlund.
If Liverpool leave huge gaps open, United have a blueprint for victory. A little bit of caution in this regard wouldn’t go amiss.
United are nowhere near as streetwise as the team they were last year. And that team managed to lose 7-0 at Anfield after winning a cup final.
Should Liverpool be in danger of not advancing, there are some quick ploys they can turn to. Their hosts’ record on set pieces has been atrocious, and boy do the Old Trafford crowd know it. If Klopp’s men can force a few corners, they’ll probably strike gold.
There’s also a contingency for if United themselves score – get at them straight away. Too often this year have they lost concentration after finding the net and done little to address this vulnerability (or any vulnerability for that matter).
READ THE LATEST LIVERPOOL NEWS, TRANSFER RUMOURS & GOSSIP
