The ECHO’s Liverpool writers assess if Sunday is a good time to host Manchester United in the Premier League
Theo Squires was appointed Liverpool FC Writer for the Liverpool ECHO in 2021, after covering EURO 2020 at Wembley as England reached their first major men’s final since 1966. A senior football journalist, Theo joined the ECHO’s sports team from Bolton Wanderers in 2018, having previously spent four seasons in the former Premier League side’s communications team where he ran the club’s website and social media channels.
A regular in the Anfield press box since joining the ECHO, since being promoted to Liverpool FC Writer, Theo has reported on Jurgen Klopp’s side as they won the FA Cup and League Cup at Wembley, and competed in the 2022 Champions League final in Paris. A regular on the Blood Red podcast, Theo has also conducted a number of exclusive interviews during his time with the ECHO, speaking to the likes of Roger Hunt, Nicolas Anelka, and Alberto Aquilani.
Arne Slot will be back in front of the media this morning to preview Liverpool’s huge clash with Manchester Untied(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Premier League champions Liverpool return to action on Sunday afternoon when they host Manchester United in the most-watched club fixture in football. The Reds have had the upper hand against their historic rivals in recent years, generally, but United’s last two visits to Anfield have resulted in draws.
After victories of 4-0 and 7-0 in 2022 and 2023, respectively, Erik ten Hag’s side ground out a goalless draw in 2024 before Ruben Amorim’s under-fire team were able to emerge with a creditable 2-2 result last season.
With Liverpool looking to end a run of three straight defeats, having lost to Crystal Palace, Galatasaray and Chelsea before the international break, the debate is whether or not this game – against their arch rivals – is a good one or not for Arne Slot right now?
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To get into that, the ECHO’s dedicated Liverpool writers tackle that question head on as the Reds aim to put a difficult week behind them before the international break.
Paul Gorst
Jurgen Klopp once famously declared that everyone needed to be on top form at Anfield for the visit of Manchester City in 2019 by urging “even the guy who sells hot dogs” to bring their A game. It was a call to arms that worked a treat as Liverpool picked up a huge win en route to the Premier League title.
Arne Slot might not have the same unique flair for the sound bites and one-liners as Klopp but a similar message in his Friday press conference might go a long way towards getting the desired result.
The Reds – fans, players and coaches – cannot afford an ounce of complacency on Sunday afternoon. The last two years have seen Manchester United trudge down the M62 with their heads bowed and their confidence shot and many neutrals, as a result, have predicted landslide victories in the manner of the 7-0 humiliation in 2023.
That ‘narrative’ led to some slack performances and Liverpool, despite their superiority in the league, were unable to show why they have been the better team as a result, with both games ending in draws.
A switched-on and ‘at it’ Liverpool are more than good enough to beat this United team at home and dominating midfield and keeping the pressure on at a red-hot Anfield will be key to victory on the day. That, though, requires everyone to be on top form.
The Reds need to snap out of their funk and this is the ideal way to do it, if they approach the game properly in the stands and on the pitch. There’s no better team to beat for a team looking for an important win – but that message rings true for United also.
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Theo Squires
You will have to go back many a year to find the last time Manchester United came to Anfield as the ‘in-form’ team, even if that is not enough to earn Ruben Amorim’s side ‘favourites’ status against Liverpool this time around.
The Reds have not been at their best this season, and have had a long international break to stew over their three successive losses to Crystal Palace, Galatasaray and Chelsea.
They’ve surrendered top spot in the Premier League table as a result and, courtesy of being involved in the top-flight’s penultimate fixture this weekend, could find themselves overtaken by Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and one of AFC Bournemouth and Crystal Palace by the time they kick-off on Sunday evening.
And let’s not forget Arsenal also have the opportunity to build a four-point lead over Liverpool.
Arne Slot’s men have to respond. And in truth, having not played for a fortnight, this could be the perfect occasion for them. Their bitter rivals at Anfield. If you can’t get up for this one, then you’re in the wrong business.
United are 10th in the table, five points behind the Reds, and continue to be horrendously inconsistent.
They’ve won their last two home games against Sunderland and Chelsea, but shipped three goals in each of their last two away outings at Brentford and Man City. Exiting the League Cup in embarrassing fashion to Grimsby Town, a 1-1 draw at Fulham in August is all they have to show for their travels so far this season.
There is understandably an air of anxiety around Liverpool at the moment, given their recent woes. And it is in stark contrast to previous confidence they have held when coming into this fixture only to be left frustrated by United.
The Red Devils will want to be party poopers again. But perhaps this time, these are the conditions the Reds need. United could be exactly what it takes for Liverpool to jumpstart their season.