Erik ten Hag claims that Manchester United is ready to “suffer” and “sacrifice” in order to defeat Liverpool and maintain themselves in the running for the Premier League championship.
On Sunday, a win would maintain United’s tenuous chances of catching league leaders Arsenal, while a loss would increase Liverpool’s chances of making a late push for the top four.
Ten Hag, who just helped the team break a six-year trophy drought by winning the League Cup last weekend, expressed excitement for the mood and ambiance of the event.
“That will be fantastic, and even if it will be antagonistic against us, we enjoy that.
“I know these players, my squad, my team, will be prepared to go there and fight and to go there with confidence. We know it’s going to be difficult, we know we will have to suffer and we will have to sacrifice to get a good result.”
Ten Hag’s third-placed team are still chasing four trophies in his first season at Old Trafford, while Liverpool, who fell agonisingly short of an unprecedented quadruple last season, have struggled.
Jurgen Klopp’s men have, though, been in form in recent weeks, winning three of their past four league games, leaving them 10 points behind United and six points behind fourth-placed Tottenham.
Ten Hag was reluctant to read too much into the switch in fortunes of the two clubs.
“We are still in the season now,” he said. “It’s always a pattern, never does it always go so consistently.
EPL: See How Ten Hag, Man Utd Players React To Ronaldo’s Explosive Interview
“It’s fluid and I am sure Liverpool have really good management, a really good playing philosophy and a really good strategy. We are aware of that but we are not talking about other clubs.
“We are talking about us and I think we are in a good direction and with our philosophy, strategy and culture, we have to keep making progress. It’s all about that.”
United’s away form against their rivals has been one black mark in a fine season, with defeats against City and Arsenal.
But the United boss sees no reason why they cannot win at a raucous Anfield this weekend and complete a league double over Liverpool this season.
“We have to play and to make it our game,” said the Dutchman.
“Of course we know the ambience will not be supporting us and you have to deal with that. But our players, they like it. They like to play in such atmospheres.”
AFP
Follow us on facebook
Post Disclaimer
The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author and forum participants on this website do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Anaedo Online or official policies of the Anaedo Online.