Defying Form: A Look into Man United, LFC, Rush, Klopp, and More
It’s no secret that Manchester United has been struggling this season, and the build-up to their FA Cup match against Liverpool has been rather low-key. Meanwhile, Liverpool has been basking in the glory of their thrilling title clash with Manchester City and discussing their future without Jurgen Klopp. However, when the two teams take the field on Sunday afternoon, the importance of this fixture will be undeniable.
Liverpool fans are confident heading into the match, considering United’s poor performance this season. Currently sitting in sixth place in the Premier League table, 17 points behind Liverpool, and with a goal difference of zero, it’s clear that United has had a woeful campaign under Erik Ten Hag. Despite their struggles, United’s pride will not allow them to let their last chance at a trophy slip away without a fight.
History is also on United’s side in this rivalry. Despite Klopp managing the better team for most of his time in England, his record away to United is not particularly strong. It took him five-and-a-half years to secure his first victory at Old Trafford, which happened to be behind closed doors. Although he has secured an unforgettable 5-0 victory since then, Klopp only has two wins, four draws, and three defeats to his name in M16.
This rivalry has always been unpredictable. Even when one team is dominant, the other has often managed to cause an upset. For example, during a period from 1983/84 to 1987/88, United suffered just one defeat in 14 meetings with Liverpool while the Reds lifted eight major trophies. Additionally, Ian Rush, one of Liverpool’s most prolific strikers, only managed to score three goals in 32 appearances against United throughout his career. These statistics highlight just how unusual these matches can be.
Liverpool is not the only team to struggle in this rivalry. Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United side, known for their success, once lost five matches in a row to Liverpool, with three of those defeats occurring at Old Trafford, between December 2000 and January 2002. Klopp is well aware that Ten Hag will approach the match cautiously, focusing on deep defending and counter-attacking with quality players. As a result, this game is likely to be a classic derby where form goes out the window, rather than an easy victory for Liverpool.
For Klopp, a win in this match would be a significant step towards achieving a perfect ending to his time in England. It’s clear that both teams will leave everything on the field, and the atmosphere at Old Trafford will undoubtedly add to the intensity of the match. Regardless of recent form, this rivalry has always been full of surprises, and Sunday’s clash promises to be no different.