Here’s Why Manchester United’s Top Four Hopes Depend On Crucial Clash Against Liverpool. Manchester United’s last several weeks have been strange to say the least. While the Red Devils have squandered critical points, their top-four opponents have also been underwhelming.
Ralf Rangnick’s side, on the other hand, won 3-2 against Norwich in the Premier League on Saturday, due to a Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick.
They had already lost a shocker to Everton and had also been eliminated from the Champions League by Atletico Madrid. And there’s a lot on the line as they prepare to face Liverpool on Tuesday Night.
Manchester United are set to conclude the season without a trophy for the fifth year in a row, but finishing in the top four could be a pleasant booby prize.
Manchester United supporters do not remember their previous match against Liverpool fondly. Jurgen Klopp’s squad thrashed Manchester United 5-0 at Old Trafford.
Many things have changed since that game, but one thing has remained constant: Liverpool is still better than the Reds. Klopp’s team has really extended the qualitative gap between themselves and their arch-rivals.
Liverpool are enormous favorites, but Manchester United must not only put up a fight, but also come away with a positive result that will help them climb the table.
This is a must-win game for Rangnick’s team, as unlikely as it may sound, especially because they need the points to stay in the Champions League hunt.
Manchester United are now in fifth place in the Premier League, three points behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur, with a game in hand over Arsenal.
With only six games remaining, any slip-up now might be costly, which is why the Reds’ Champions League ambitions are dependent on their performance against Liverpool.
“We have to play at our very best possible level and we need to try to win as many of those games as possible, but we have to take it game by game,” Rangnick said, as quoted by Manutd.com.
⚖ Ralf is seeking a better balance from the Reds during #LIVMUN tonight 👇#MUFC
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 19, 2022
“We know the importance of the Liverpool game, not only for us to stay in the race for [position] number four, but also for the fans knowing that the team lost the first fixture this season 5-0 at Old Trafford. We are fully aware about the importance of the game.
“They play as they always play. A lot of intensity with a lot of players involved when they create the chances with very aggressive counter-pressing. This is how they always play and we will be prepared for that, regarding the game plan.”
Manchester United has disappointed throughout the season, but they must finish strongly if they are to finish in the top four, and that starts with not losing to Liverpool.