The classic clash between Liverpool and Manchester United has traditionally been the most intense rivalry in English football. Tomorrow’s meeting at Anfield pits two teams living in diametrically opposed realities.
The Reds, leaders of the Premier League and overall Champions League table, are aiming to equal their rivals’ record 20 domestic titles, with aspirations of winning even more.
Liverpool have only been beaten by United once in the last seven years in the Premier League, winning the last encounter 3-0 at Old Trafford last September.
The Red Devils find themselves closer to the relegation zone than to the top of the table in another calamitous season, marked by the departure of a coach and one of their sporting directors.
The gap between Liverpool and United is growing to the point where one is in contention for a trophy haul, while the other is simply hoping to survive in the top flight.
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A decade of disaster
Since winning their twentieth title in the 2012-13 season, the last under Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United have been in worrying decline. They haven’t come close to winning another title since the Scottish manager retired. Ruben Amorim is the sixth permanent coach appointed in more than 11 years.
Amorim quickly realized the enormity of the challenge, after six defeats in their last eight matches. This week he admitted they could even find themselves in a relegation battle.
“It’s a possibility,” he said. “We have to be clear with our supporters,” added the Portuguese coach.
Immediate adaptation
While Old Trafford has been a disaster in every attempt to replace a great manager, Liverpool have made the task seemingly easy.
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Dutchman Arne Slot took on the daunting task of filling the void left by Germany’s Jurgen Klopp at the end of last season, and he appears to have taken the team to new heights.
Klopp has won an entire haul of trophies at Anfield. The only thing stopping him from achieving even greater success in the Premier League, where he only lifted the trophy in 2020, was Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.
Slot has led Liverpool to the top of the Premier League by six points with a game in hand, top of the Champions League by three points, and has already reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup. English League.
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Unlike their rivals, Liverpool have been one of the best teams in the transfer market over the past decade.
Salah on departure
All is not rosy at Anfield. Mohamed Salah, the legendary Reds winger, confirmed in an interview yesterday that this season will be his last as a Liverpool player.
“I’m really looking forward to winning the Premier League with Liverpool. It’s my last year at the club. I want to give this special gift to the club and the city,” announced the 32-year-old Egyptian winger.
Salah’s contract expires in June 2025, and he has already rejected several renewal offers from the club.
“We are very far from any progress in contract negotiations, so we just have to wait and see,” he said.
This season, Salah has accumulated 20 goals and 17 assists.
