Jamie Carragher has been speaking on the latest edition of the Pitch to Post podcast to discuss Liverpool’s upcoming game against Manchester United on Sunday.
Liverpool go into the game chasing a place in the top four of the Premier League table with just five games remaining of the 2020/21 campaign.
Will Liverpool finish in the top four?
Yes
No
However, they face a Manchester United side which sit second in the table and come into the game on the back of an emphatic 6-2 victory in the first-leg of their Europa League semi-final against Roma.
Despite running away with the Premier League title last season, Jurgen Klopp’s side have not been able to match their high standards set last season and currently find themselves 13 points adrift of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side.
As a result of their underwhelming season to date, Klopp’s side go into the game as underdogs and Carragher believes they must get off to a quick start if they are to get anything from the game at Old Trafford.
He said: “I think it’s imperative they really start quickly and really get after Manchester United and make it a fast energetic game. And that’s what Liverpool always try to do.
“I thought Liverpool played really well in the FA Cup game at Old Trafford, but obviously big defensive mistakes that day obviously cost them. I’d say the actual performance was really good. And, you know, you have to be looking for a similar sort of performance.
“But I think the start is huge and massive and Liverpool would have to get the first goal if they had any aspirations of going on to win the game, which is what they have to do. Liverpool will have to go for the win and they have to start from minute one.”
TIF Thoughts on Carragher’s comments…
Obviously, a good start would be great for Liverpool, however, having played on Thursday in the Europa League, perhaps Liverpool may find some success in hoping United tire out in the latter stages of the game.
Liverpool got off to a great start in their game last weekend against Newcastle United with Mohamed Salah scoring a third-minute goal to give them an early lead. However, Klopp’s side almost threw everything away in the dying minutes with Newcastle scoring twice but were saved by VAR ruling one of them out.
A good start would be great, but going off their recent performances, it suggests a strong end to the game is just as important.
In other news: ‘A nightmare situation’ – Journalist claims Jurgen Klopp will ‘regret’ this call at LFC