‘If they lose’: Rooney explains why Liverpool are under more pressure ahead of crucial Man United fixture

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Liverpool will be looking to bounce back when taking on their bitter rivals Manchester United.The international break is over and the Reds are set to return to action, with a win needed to get their title defence back on track.Stood in their way are long-term rivals Man United, with the Red Devils looking to make it back-to-back wins in the Premier League.Join our newsletter for news & smart analysis. No matter the difference in quality over the years or form heading into this one, none of that matters in games like this, although pressure will remain higher than ever.However, Wayne Rooney believes that it is Liverpool who are under more pressure ahead of this clash, something that could cost them all three points.Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty ImagesWayne Rooney believes Liverpool must beat Man UnitedLiverpool have handed Man United some pretty heavy drubbings over the years, with the most eye-watering being a 7-0 win at Anfield back in 2023.They will be hoping to produce similar on Sunday afternoon back in front of their fans, although a scoreline of that nature is highly unlikely given how the Reds have started the season.Three losses on the bounce have certainly left fans a little worried about the direction of their title defence, with this a reason why Rooney believes Liverpool are under more pressure than Man United.“I don’t think United fans are expecting three points in this game, whereas in other games they are,” Rooney said on BBC Sport.“Where, I think for Liverpool, if they lose four games in a row, and if they lose to Man United at Anfield, I think the pressure is definitely on them.”READ MORE: Liverpool legend Ian Rush admits Sir Alex Ferguson once called him about joining Man UnitedWith Arsenal and Manchester both winning on Saturday too, Liverpool certainly need to try and keep pace with them, with this the perfect game to properly kick-start their season.Liverpool have a good record against Man UnitedThe Reds’ record against Man United is pretty good to say the least, with Liverpool losing just two in their last 10 against them.Liverpool have not lost to them at Anfield since 2016, with it actually being Rooney himself who scored the only goal of the game.A worrying thing for Reds fans will be that if Man United do take the victory, they will be just two points behind them in the league, the closest they will have been for a very long time.However, win, lose or draw, there will still be 30 games left in the season to put things right, although starting with a win against their rivals must just be the confidence boost they need.