Liverpool’s 7-0 win over Manchester United at Anfield last season was a once-in-a-lifetime performance that will not be duplicated, but Sunday’s derby promises to be a’special’ encounter, according to manager Juergen Klopp.
Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United were flying high after winning the League Cup last season, ending a six-year trophy drought, but came crashing down a week later when Liverpool delivered the Old Trafford club their heaviest defeat in 92 years.
“The 7-0 we knew on the day was a freakish result that happens about once in a lifetime.” And if it helps anyone for the next game, it’s the team that lost 7-0, not the team that won 7-0,” Klopp told reporters.
“If you take everything into account, we just play a football game at home, at Anfield, against the rival, the historical rival, of Liverpool FC.”
Liverpool leads the league heading into the weekend, while United is sixth, 10 points back. United have struggled in recent weeks, with just one win in their past five games across all competitions.
Ten Hag is also under intense pressure after his team was eliminated from the Champions League after finishing last in their group. On Sunday, he insisted that his struggling side, Manchester United, can demonstrate that they have learned from last season’s 7-0 thrashing at Liverpool.
United’s recent record against the Reds is dismal, with the exception of a 2-1 victory at Old Trafford in August 2022; they have lost four of the last five encounters, allowing 21 goals in the process.
“It’s a fantastic place to visit,” the Dutchman stated on Friday. “We know it will be difficult, but I think every top footballer wants that challenge.”
“Last year we take that in our memory but you also have to take the benefit from it, learn from it and on Sunday we can prove that.”
United captain Bruno Fernandes drew special criticism following the destruction at Anfield in March, and he will miss Sunday’s game after receiving his fifth card of the season for dissent.
Fernandes joins a long list of absentees that includes Lisandro Martinez, Casemiro, and Tyrell Malacia, who are all injured.