Ian Wright has backed Liverpool to give Manchester United a comprehensive win at Old Trafford as they aim to continue their progress in the Premier League title.
Jurgen Klopp’s team is leading the league by two points ahead of Arsenal and three points ahead of Manchester City before this weekend’s matches.
Arsenal and Man City have the opportunity to narrow the gap on Liverpool when they play Brighton and Crystal Palace respectively tomorrow. However, Liverpool can extend their lead when they face struggling arch-rivals United on Sunday.
Manchester United have thwarted Liverpool twice this season – eliminating them from the FA Cup less than a month ago and holding them to a goalless draw at Anfield earlier in the season.
However, former Arsenal and England striker Wright is concerned about United before Sunday’s match and believes they could suffer a heavy defeat.
Erik ten Hag’s team conceded two injury-time goals in a devastating 4-3 loss to Chelsea on Thursday night and must recover for the visit of Liverpool this weekend.
‘I am concerned for Man United,’ Wright stated on his Ringer FC podcast. ‘I feel like Liverpool will be much more focused than they were in that FA Cup game and be even more ruthless.
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‘We know United can be ruthless and [Alejandro] Garnacho alone is going to be a threat. But Liverpool will want to go there and assert their dominance.
‘I worry for United because I can see another big defeat, I could see them getting a heavy defeat to be honest.
‘It’s not like Old Trafford is a fortress anymore. If Liverpool come and have their heads on it could be a big concern for United.’
If Manchester United had held on against Chelsea, they would have been within six points of fifth-placed Tottenham and seven points of fourth-placed Aston Villa, who have played one more game.
As it is, they suffered a major setback to their top-four ambitions and Ten Hag is unsure whether they are still in the race for a Champions League spot, though he insists his team will ‘fight’ against Liverpool.
‘This week we dropped five points in stoppage time and it is very costly,’ the Dutchman said. ‘The points are becoming very costly because the games are running out and we know that.
‘We have to catch up and we are now many points behind. It will be difficult but we will keep fighting and I am sure that you see our team, they have character.
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‘Today we have seen an example as well. They are resilient and I am sure they will be there on Sunday in the fight against Liverpool.’
Liverpool may be 22 points ahead of Manchester United but Klopp is not taking anything for granted as his team prepares to visit Old Trafford.
‘United is a top side playing at home, we all know that,’ he said. ‘We have to find a way to cause United problems and they will try exactly the same.
‘At that level, with this opponent, in this stadium, we better play a really good football game, to be honest, if we want something there.’
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