Liverpool can expose Man United reality as Arne Slot warning becomes clear
Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Echo or go back to LFC Live.
And there will be a glaring example of that at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.Manchester United, having seemingly enjoyed one of their best top-flight campaigns in years, will host a Liverpool team that has plumbed the depths like never before in the modern Premier League era.Strange, then, that if the Reds win, they will go above their bitter North West rivals in the table into a top-three berth with just three games remaining.Both claims about the two sides, while containing more than a grain of truth, are grossly exaggerated. While United are much improved on last season's failure, it was only three years ago that they last finished above Liverpool, who the previous season had come agonisingly close to a remarkable quadruple.FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE!
And United offer a warning of some of the pitfalls that should have been expected at Anfield.There have arguably been three managerial dynasties during the Premier League era - Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, Arsene Wenger at Arsenal and Klopp at Liverpool.In the 13 years since Ferguson departed Old Trafford, United haven't looked close to winning the title. But it serves to underline the size of Slot's achievement in winning the title last season should not be diminished by what has followed.For Liverpool, though, the concentration now is on salvaging the bare minimum requirement of Champions League qualification.With an eight-point buffer over sixth-place Brighton with just four games remaining, a seat at Europe's top table could be secured as early as this weekend should the Seagulls and Bournemouth fail to win and Liverpool triumph at Old Trafford.Given such straightforward progression would not be in keeping with an at times tortuous season for the Reds, few expect nerves not to be tested over the closing weeks.United have been helped enormously this season by no European commitments and exiting the two domestic cup competitions at the earliest possibility.
They'll end up having played 40 games this season compared to Liverpool's 57 - and all while having a much greater number of senior squad options on which to call.And there will be a sense of Liverpool owing their old rivals one given the disappointing late 2-1 defeat at Anfield in October that followed a frustrating 2-2 home draw the previous January.The latter game represents something of a line in the sand for Slot, a realisation teams were completely overhauling their approach to get at his team in a more direct, physical manner.They've found it difficult to cope. And by securing a fourth successive Premier League win for the first time since the five-game run that opened the campaign, Liverpool can place two hands on Champions League qualification and serve a timely reminder, as much to themselves as anyone else, that United can expect a much greater challenge next season.