Manchester United are preparing for another mouthwatering clash against Liverpool, with the latest rendition of the storied rivalry culminating in a classic for the ages recorded at the Theatre of Dreams.
Jurgen Klopp is on his Liverpool farewell tour and had his hopes of winning the FA Cup in his curtain-closer ended at the quarter-final stage.
Erik ten Hag’s men came back from behind to seal a remarkable win in that game, with substitute Amad Diallo scoring the winner in the 120th minute.
Klopp will be seeking revenge on his last trip to Old Trafford as Liverpool manager but going into the game, former Reds manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has now offered Ten Hag some advice, naming three players that could hurt the Anfield club.
“For so long, we talked about Salah, Firmino and [Sadio] Mane. Firmino was the false nine, with Salah and Mane at 100 miles per hour around him,” Solskjaer told The Athletic.
“But when they lost the ball opponents couldn’t press, because Firmino was there, he was the first line of defence, but he’d also drop into no man’s land.
“For a centre-back, a false nine is really difficult to mark. If you’re worried about pace, you’re not going with him. If you’re a midfielder, you don’t want to drop too deep and lose your own men. But now, with no Firmino, the front three can be out the game when the ball is lost because there’s no false nine.
“Then Liverpool’s midfield get pulled out of possession and that’s where you can utilise the pace of Rashford, Garnacho or Hojlund. [Bruno] Fernandes will have more time on the ball and Liverpool’s defence must drop back.
“City have found success through control, Liverpool through intensity and United are at their best on the counter-attack — that’s why United have had some success against Liverpool.”
Solskjaer led his United side to victory over Klopp’s men at Old Trafford in 2021, with Bruno Fernandes scoring a late winner.
The Norwegian hero typically opted to use similar strategies to the one he suggested in this instance, with Marcus Rashford often being the player to look out for.
Victory over their fierce rivals would, perhaps, kickstart one final push for a top-five finish for United whilst defeat for Liverpool would greatly harm their chances of winning the league.
