There may be arguably no tougher defeat for Liverpool followers to take than one to bitter rivals Manchester United.
And that’s notably true when it comes within the closing seconds of additional time in an FA Cup quarter-final the Reds had led with 4 minutes of the 90 remaining, as was the case on March 17.
Nonetheless, as soon as the mud had settled on final month’s disappointing journey to Outdated Trafford, it was no less than fairly straightforward for supporters to see the a number of mitigating components concerned and discover some perspective.
Frankly, it was no shock that the guests appeared leggy within the latter phases of what was their ninth sport in 30 days, particularly given United have been contesting their sixth.
There may be additionally little question that the 2 clear midweeks Erik Ten Hag’s males had loved within the buildup to the sport additionally performed a job when it comes to night issues up.
The trophy all of us need
And although speak of Liverpool’s quadruple goals being smashed adopted, there can’t have been many followers on the market who thought-about {that a} lifelike goal.
In the meantime, the FA Cup clearly ranked because the lowest precedence of the three trophies the Reds have been competing for on the time.
However whereas all these components made it considerably simpler for Liverpool supporters to rapidly transfer on from their workforce’s final journey to Outdated Trafford, it won’t be so easy ought to there be an analogous consequence this week.
There isn’t any query that, above some other trophy, Kopites wish to see Klopp finish his reign by including one other Premier League title to the Champions Wall.
And, with Manchester Metropolis and Arsenal lurking, something however three factors from this weekend’s fixture casts severe doubt on that consequence.
Liverpool in higher form
Luckily for the Reds, they’re heading to Outdated Trafford in much better form than they discovered themselves simply three weeks in the past.
For starters, each groups have performed the identical quantity of fixtures (two) because the closing worldwide break of the season, that means there needs to be no clear benefit when it comes to legs.
Liverpool, in the meantime, have seen their choices boosted by the current returns from damage of Ryan Gravenberch and Curtis Jones.
And maybe most crucially, they’re now not ready the place they might want to withdraw both Mohamed Salah or Dominik Szoboszlai early as a way to handle their minutes.
With Trent Alexander-Arnold, Diogo Jota and Alisson nonetheless sidelined, Manchester United nonetheless received’t be dealing with the strongest attainable model of Liverpool, however it ought to nonetheless be one that’s adequate to win.
The 22-point hole
The very fact is, 22 factors and 5 locations at present separate these two groups within the Premier League, and but Ten Hag’s males have one way or the other managed a draw and a victory from their two conferences so far this season.
If they’re to go on and benefit from the dream end to this season – and certainly Klopp’s reign – then Liverpool should certainly put that proper on Sunday.
Ought to they fail to take action, then there can be far fewer excuses for Klopp and his gamers to cling to this time round.
