JURGEN KLOPP goes to Old Trafford for today’s must-win game as a manager with a problem.
Yet Erik ten Hag in the Manchester United dressing room — where the stakes are just as high — faces a conundrum of his own.
AlamyErik ten Hag faces an injury crisis in his Man Utd squad[/caption]
GettyJurgen Klopp and his Liverpool team will travel to Old Trafford today to face United[/caption]
But although both bosses have a real head-scratcher, the difference couldn’t be greater.
For Klopp, the big issue is who he leaves off the Liverpool bench. For Ten Hag, it is how he finds enough bodies to fill the home one.
After months of relying on his kids — and what a job they’ve done — Jurgen finally has players to choose from at the most crucial stage of the season.
Maybe not a total clean bill of health just yet, but key men are available again, with more to come over the next week or two.
At last, the headache isn’t who’s fit, it’s who to leave out. The total opposite to Ten Hag — especially in defence.
Victor Lindelof, Luke Shaw and Lisandro Martinez are already out.
And if that shocking Chelsea defeat wasn’t enough, Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans were crocked as well.
Harry Maguire could be United’s one fit centre-back for a game against their massive rivals, on the back of one they threw away.
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That miracle they produced to beat Liverpool in the FA Cup three weeks ago is nothing compared to the one they’ll need today.
United may be at home, but I fear for them.
Klopp (below) has options all over the place, but it’s hard to know where Ten Hag turns and how he copes with that wonderful attack.
Does he sacrifice a wideman and overload the midfield? Just hang in there and hope to nick something on the break?
I know that’s not the United way. I’ve gone there with teams and it’s been like the Red Arrows, they’d be tearing into you from the start and coming from everywhere.
Well, if Ten Hag tries that and they leave themselves open, Liverpool could rip them to pieces.
With so many doubts about his future already, he certainly can’t afford to be smashed up in front of his own fans.
You couldn’t have got a bigger contrast of where both teams are than what happened on Thursday night.
First, United came from two down at Chelsea to lead 3-2 going into stoppage time and you’re thinking that could be that for Mauricio Pochettino.
Man Utd’s last six meetings with Liverpool
24 Oct 2021 – Man Utd 0-5 Liverpool – The Reds raced into a 4-0 lead by half-time before Mo Salah completed his Old Trafford hat-trick and a frustrated Paul Pogba got sent off for a horror tackle
19 Apr 2022 – Liverpool 4-0 Man Utd – Another comprehensive victory for Jurgen Klopp’s side with goals from Luis Diaz, Mo Salah (two) and Sadio Mane
22 Aug 2022 – Man Utd 2-1 Liverpool – Erik ten Hag’s first Premier League win as United boss came thanks to a superb performance with Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford on target
5 Mar 2023 – Liverpool 7-0 Man Utd – A memorable afternoon for Liverpool fans as Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez and Mo Salah all got doubles and Bobby Firmino completed the rout
17 Dec 2023 – Liverpool 0-0 Man Utd – The Reds racked up 34 shots but none of them found the net before Diogo Dalot saw red in bizarre fashion
17 Mar 2024 – Man Utd 4-3 Liverpool – This ding-dong of a thrilling FA Cup quarter-final went to extra-time, where Amad Diallo was the hero in the 121st minute
Then they concede twice in less than two minutes and the whole thing turns on its head — not just the result, but maybe the future for both managers too.
When I was West Ham boss and we’d play Sheffield Wednesday when they had Paolo Di Canio, I’d say: “Don’t let him get the ball in the final third.”
How United could leave Cole Palmer in so much space for the winner is beyond me. No one took responsibility.
Liverpool were a mile away from their best against Sheffield United on the same night but they still found a way to win.
Well, Klopp found a way and I’ve got to give him credit for the changes that turned what would have been the biggest shock of the season into three points.
Taking off Mo Salah at 1-1, in a must-win game, was bold and brave, for sure. But it paid off.
The best teams find a way to win and the best managers find a way to make it happen. Sir Alex Ferguson was a master at that and Klopp’s doing the same now.
There are a few fences still to be jumped, but in my book, Liverpool are now the big favourites to come home in front.
