Liverpool manager Arne Slot wants “two percent more” from his team and the fans at Anfield as they seek to end their three-match losing run when they face Manchester United on Sunday.
The Reds have seen their red-hot start to the season end with last-gasp Premier League defeats to Crystal Palace and Chelsea either side of a 1-0 Champions League loss at Galatasaray.
Those losses have seen them usurped at the top of the table by Arsenal, with the Reds’ summer spree not yet bearing the fruits many anticipated, with the likes of Florian Wirtz and British-record signing 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 must up their game as they return from the international break.
“These players might need me but I don’t think they do to tell them what has happened,” Slot told a press conference.
“We have lost three by very close margins. Twice in last minute, one was a penalty, we should have overturned it on VAR. We should not depend on the margins.
“Chelsea away is normal. It is an equal game, part of it, but results don’t lie. If you lose three in a row you have to do better.
“These players don’t wake up at night with it but we have to be aware of it and give a reaction. We have to create habits if we win or lose, but after three losses you hope for a spark or one or two percent more from us and our fans on Sunday.”
Not since Wayne Rooney nearly a decade ago has a United player netted the winning goal at Anfield, but Amorim’s team have won two of their last three, an away loss at Brentford sandwiched by home victories over Chelsea and Sunderland.
United have yet to win on their travels this campaign, though Amorim can reflect on a relatively recent strong performance at Anfield, having drawn 2-2 in this fixture last season.
“I remember we played well, it was a draw, I was really upset at the end of the game because we proved that we could compete against any opponent,” Amorim told his pre-match press conference.
“I know that isn’t special for our club, I know that they are fighting all the time for the number of titles. I know what it means to the fans, but again it is just one game where we need to prove we are playing better.
“I think we are playing better. We need to do better in both boxes so it is one more game that we need to win.”
Team news for Liverpool v Manchester United
Alisson (hamstring) remains on the sideline, meaning Giorgi Mamardashvili will again deputise in goal.
Ibrahima Konate is fit despite suffering a muscle injury in the defeat to Chelsea, while Ryan Gravenberch is also available, the midfielder having come off in Netherlands’ win over Finland in the international break.
Meanwhile, Senne Lammens looks likely to start in goal for United after impressing in the win over Sunderland.
Noussair Mazraoui is set to miss out again with an injury that has kept him out since the defeat of Chelsea last month. Lisandro Martinez won’t feature because of a knee issue.
Expected line-ups for Liverpool v Manchester United
Liverpool: Mamardashvili; Szoboszlai, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Jones; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike
Manchester United: Lammens; Yoro, De Ligt, Shaw; Dalot, Fernandes, Ugarte, Dorgu; Mbeumo, Mount; Sesko
How to watch Liverpool v Manchester United: TV channel, online stream
Sunday’s match will kick-off at 4:30pm BST. Fans in the UK can watch live coverage on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, with streaming available via Sky Go.
International viewers can stream the match through Premier League Pass. In the US, the game is available on the USA network and on NBC.com.
The stats for Liverpool v Manchester United
Liverpool have lost just one of their last 14 Premier League games 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 any side to face the Red Devils three-plus times in the competition has had against them.
Manchester United are winless in their last nine Premier League games at Anfield since a 1-0 win in January 2016 under Louis van Gaal (D5 L4).
Liverpool could become only the second side to avoid defeat in 10+ successive Premier League home games against the Red Devils, after Chelsea (10 from Aug 2002 to Feb 2012).
Manchester United won away to the reigning title holders Manchester City 2-1 last season, but have not beaten the defending English champions away from home in back-to-back league seasons since 1906-07 (Liverpool) and 1907-08 (Newcastle).
Liverpool lost both of their last two league games after winning their first five of the season. It was not until their 31st league match of last season that the Reds suffered their second defeat. Liverpool could lose three consecutive Premier League games for the first time since February 2021 (4).
Prediction
Liverpool have a point to prove after their recent struggles, and with the talent they have in attack, it’s difficult to see United ending their woes on their travels in this one. Another chastening visit to Anfield seems likely.
Prediction: Liverpool 4-2 Manchester United
