Last season, it was Liverpool in pursuit of a quadruple of
trophies. This year, it is a Manchester United team rejuvenated by manager Erik
ten Hag that has a chance to win four titles.
If United can navigate its way around arguably its most
difficult remaining test in the Premier League, a serious title challenge could
be possible.
Having already played leading pair Arsenal and Manchester
City home and away this season, a trip to Anfield represents the last major
test of United’s credentials, even after Liverpool’s recent struggles for
consistency.
A Liverpool team that has already beaten City and Italian
league leader Napoli at home this season could threaten to Ten Hag’s ambitions.
The Merseyside club would relish the opportunity to derail United’s momentum as
well as boost their own push for a Champions League qualifying spot.
As impressive as United’s transformation has been under its
Dutch manager, the team has yet to secure a win against one of its major rivals
away from Old Trafford. That makes the visit to Anfield potentially even more
instructive regarding the 20-time league champions’ progress.
The 2-2 draw at Barcelona in the Europa League playoffs last
month was evidence of the growing confidence and courage of a team that has
been unable to keep pace with City and Liverpool in recent years. And while
United went on to win the second leg 2-1 and advance to the round of 16, it is
still waiting for that significant victory at the home of a leading club this
season.
Ten Hag was humbled in his first Manchester derby in October
when losing to City 6-3. At Arsenal in January, United missed the chance to put
real pressure on the leaders with a 3-2 loss, curtesy of Eddie Nketiah’s winner
in stoppage time. It took an injury-time goal from Casemiro to salvage a 1-1
draw at Chelsea earlier in the season.
United’s all-around improvement, however, has been
undeniable, with Wednesday’s come-from-behind 3-1 win over West Ham in the FA Cup
the latest example of the team’s resilience.
“We showed we have the character to deal with difficult
situations. The team can keep going with energy,” Ten Hag said. “They believe
they can win games and once again they did it and I’m happy with that process.
This team does not show panic and can change the dynamic of the game.”
Those qualities will be put to the test by a Liverpool team
that has dominated this matchup in recent years, winning 5-0 and 4-0 last
season.
United’s 2-1 win in August was the first time it had beaten
Liverpool in the league since 2018.
If United can pick up three points, however, the season’s
run-in will look relatively smooth, while Arsenal and City still have to play
each other again and both face Liverpool as well.
Arsenal’s 4-0 rout of Everton on Wednesday opened up an
11-point gap on third-place United, who have a game in hand.
The only other standout away games for United are at
Newcastle and Tottenham, though neither compares to the tension that
accompanies a trip to Anfield.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has his own ambitions beyond
disrupting the title contenders, despite a season of struggle. The 2-0 win over
Wolverhampton on Wednesday moved Liverpool within six points of fourth-place
Tottenham.
There have been signs of the 2020 champions rediscovering
their form in recent weeks with morale-boosting wins against Everton and
Newcastle. The latest, against Wolverhampton, provided hope that Klopp can
still salvage the season by at least qualifying for the Champions League.
The German coach described it as the “best possible way” to
prepare for United.
“I think Man United is the team in form in the moment, maybe
together with Arsenal — and City are doing well,” Klopp said, adding that the
home crowd could be a factor. “I thought Anfield proved a point tonight again.
It was super, super-enjoyable. It felt like a proper unit. We were all together
— I loved that. That’s what we need again on Sunday.”
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