Manchester United learned a painful lesson in March. Photo: Peter Byrne/PA
Liverpool make an unusual effort before facing their opponents. their main rivals: they praise Manchester United so much you'd think they had shares in Ineos.
Jurgen Klopp has warned that harsh criticism of Erik ten Hag's team makes them more dangerous, and his goalkeeper Alisson Becker says he expects «fire» from United's players as they seek revenge for last season's 7-0 rout at Anfield.
From the perspective of seasoned Old Trafford analysts, there could be a spark of life given the recent form of Ten Hag's side. That Klopp and his players have actively resisted suggestions of a repeat of the March beating reflects the clubs' current situation. Liverpool appear to fear that taking the broader view that lambs are heading to another slaughterhouse will leave them vulnerable to a harsh United response.
Asked how he would react to United's position, Alisson responded from bitter experience.
“I would be furious and try to set my teammates on fire too,” said Brazil's No. 1.
“As a footballer, as an elite athlete, you will try to use this to motivate yourself. I don't know much about the Manchester United players so I don't know what they're going to do, but I'm sure they're coming here to try and get a result out of us. We aim to take three points.
“From our side, this game is a thing of the past. It's good for fans to talk about this and remember, but now we have a different team and we are in a different moment.»
Alisson suffered a knock at Anfield as Roma lost by 5: He finished second in the 2018 Champions League semi-final and remembers counting the days to make amends.
“I lost that one game, and it was an unpleasant experience, but it's the kind of game you want to play. Players from Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City are players who need to enjoy the game in this way. games. I really like it when we play against strong opponents.”
Alisson's encouraging words didn't end there as he commiserated with opposite number Andre Onana, whose record of errors has proven particularly costly given United's European run. elimination.
“A really good goalkeeper,” Alisson said. «The Champions League he played in last season was amazing.»
So why is he struggling? Alisson suggested going beyond individuality.
“I was lucky to be on a team where things were already going differently; it's creation,» he said.
«He needs to be patient, he needs to deal with everything that happens in his life the best way he can, and I think he's the one who At this moment, everyone needs support, so I think he will achieve his goal.
“I went through something similar to what he lives; came from an Italian club to England, to a big club, for big money. You have a lot of responsibility on your shoulders and he came here with the responsibility of replacing [David] De Gea, who may not have been in the best form of his career, but he still delivered results.
“He has brought so much good to Manchester United and so many games for Manchester United and [replacing him] is a big step in your career. I think he is capable of that kind of responsibility, but sometimes it takes longer with some than with others. You change the team, you change the league. They [United] are trying to adapt and discover themselves, and that can really affect you.»
Andre Onana' Mistakes were a key feature of Manchester United's disappointing campaign. Photo: PA/Martin Rickett
While Onana struggles to make a name for himself, Alisson is a key reason why Liverpool are leading the way, with the highest save percentage in the Premier League amid confidence that he is improving.
“Yes, if the numbers say, then maybe,” he said. “I feel good, in good shape. Every year I work to improve as much as I can.
“I started playing [first team] football at a young age as a goalkeeper, at 21 or 22, so I've already played in the posts for 10 years. That's a long time, but I'm still young for a goalkeeper. If you see goalkeepers now, they play until they're 38- 39 years, and sometimes more.
I think I'm now approaching the highest point of my career, combining fitness, experience and a great desire to continue to do good things and continue to improve.»
United fans are concerned about which side will show up at Anfield «; the one that impressed Chelsea, or the one that lost 3-0 to Bournemouth and bowed out of the Champions League.
But few have noticed that Liverpool are also unstable: their perfect home record masks poor days on the road. Three years ago, it was the January win over United and Alisson's assist for Mohamed Salah that prompted the phrase «We're going to win the league» to be sung for the first time on the Kop — a famous victory, a growing belief.
«We have to slow down the talk» » on the title'
Alisson fears history will repeat itself and is honest about the progress needed to compare with Klopp's Premier League winners.
“It was a different time and a different moment for this team.” , he said.
“This game was amazing. This was a message to our supporters. The fans felt it. At that moment, we as players felt that we had a big chance to win the league — to beat Manchester United, one of your main rivals, at home, in that atmosphere, and to score goals like Mo's, with my help. It makes you feel very good and gives you a big boost.
“Yes, of course, it's nice to remember every special moment. It came at an important moment for the team and also at a special moment against a special club.
“But I think we are in a different moment now. We want to win consistently.
“We have to slow down the pace, but not the pace, but the talk about the title race, because we are a team that is rebuilding. Of course we want to win the championship, of course we want to beat every opponent.
“But we must always be focused on what is closest to what we have now. We also need to do better, better than we are doing, but I think we will achieve this.”
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