Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold has commented on this weekend’s mouthwatering clash against Manchester United, with Jurgen Klopp’s men going into the game as heavy favourites.
Last season saw the two sides win one game each in this storied rivalry but with less than 24 hours until kick-off, Liverpool are heavy favourites to win all three points.
United have struggled greatly to walk away with as much as a goal at Anfield in recent years, with Jesse Lingard’s goal in a 3-1 defeat exactly five years ago being the most recent one.
Liverpool are sitting top of the Premier League table going into the game, 10 points ahead of 7th-placed United, who are struggling for form.
Speaking ahead of the game, Alexander-Arnold has admitted that United’s topsy-turvy start to the season could motivate them to ‘kickstart’ their season at Anfield, however.
“We know how much it would mean to them and their season,” the 25-year-old told BeIN Sports.
“What better way to kickstart your season, get that belief again, then going to Anfield and getting a result. We understand what their mentality is as ours would be going to their place. You get a result there and it sets the tone for yourselves and you get that belief.
“We need to match that and we need to execute our game plan. I’m sure we’ll be able to do that, but it’s not going to be an easy walk in the park just because they’ve had a couple of bad results. The game’s still the game.”
In truth, a win at Anfield would do just that – kickstart United’s season. Ten Hag will be glad to welcome some of his first-team regulars back from injury in the coming weeks and the Dutchman will not have as many games after the turn of the year after being eliminated from Europe altogether.
It’s a stark contrast to the second half of last season when United were visibly exhausted and fatigued beyond reasonable measure by February, which derailed their season.
The Reds played more games in all competitions than any other club in Europe’s top five last season, having played every single game available to them by April.
