by Liverpool are undertaking an unusual endeavor before they face their biggest rivals: They are talking about Manchester United so much that one could be forgiven for thinking they own shares in Ineos.
Jurgen Klopp has warned that harsh criticism of Erik ten Hag’s side makes them more dangerous, and goalkeeper Alisson Becker says he expects ‘fire’ from United’s players as they seek revenge for the 7-0 Anfield rout on last season.
Old Trafford season analysts are worried about the spark of life in the beginning, given the form of Ten Hag’s side in recent times. It reflects the clubs current position that Klopp and his players are proactively tackling the assumptions of a March rematch. Liverpool’s fear, it seems, is that they would be left vulnerable to a fierce United response if the wider view is accepted that the lambs are turning to another slaughter.
When asked how he would react in United’s position, Alisson spoke from bitter experience.
“I would be on fire and I would try to fire my teammates as well,” said the Brazilian No.1.
“As a football player, as a top athlete, you’re going to try to use it to motivate yourself. I don’t know much about the Man United players so I don’t know what they are going to do, but I am sure they are coming here to try and get the result from us. We are focused on getting the three points.
“From our side, that game is in the past. It’s good for the supporters to talk about it and remember them, but we have a different team now and we’re at a different time.”
Alisson was on the receiving end of the Anfield hammering as part of the Roma team that won 5-2 in the 2018 Champions League semi-final and recalls counting the days to make amends.
“I lost that game and it wasn’t a good experience, but this is the type of game you want to play in. The players from Liverpool FC, Chelsea, Man United and Man City are players who must enjoy this kind of play. of a game. I really enjoy it when we play against big opponents.”
Alisson’s encouraging words don’t end there as he has sympathized with number one Andre Onana, whose series of mistakes has cost United’s European elimination.
“A very good goalkeeper,” Alisson said. “The Champions League he played last season was fantastic.”
So why is he struggling? Alisson suggested looking beyond the individual.
“I was lucky that I was joining a team that was already going in a different way; that was building,” he said.
“He’s got to be patient, he’s got to do that with everything that’s going on in his life in the best way he can and I think he’s someone who needs everyone’s support at this moment, so I think he will find. there.
“I went through something similar to his life; coming from an Italian club to England, to a big club, for a lot of money. This is a lot of responsibility over your shoulders and he came here with the responsibility to be in his place [David] De Gea, may not have been in the best form of his career, but he was still delivering.
“He delivered so many good things for Manchester United and so many appearances for Manchester United and [to replace that] it’s a big step in your career. I think he is capable of this responsibility, but sometimes it takes longer with some people than others. You’re changing your team, you’re changing your league. they [United] trying to adapt and discover themselves and that can really affect you.”
Although Onana tries to establish himself, Alisson is the main reason that Liverpool is on top, his save percentage is the highest in the Premier League in light of believing that he is getting better.
“Yes, if the numbers speak then maybe,” he said. “I feel myself in a good way, in good shape. I am working to improve every year as much as I can.
“I started playing [first-team] football at a young age for a goalkeeper, 21 or 22 years old, so I’m already 10 years old in the posts. That’s a lot of time, but I’m still young for a goalkeeper. If you see a goalkeeper now they are playing until they are 38, 39 and sometimes beyond that.
“I now think I’m going to the highest point of my career, combining physicality, experience and a great desire to keep doing well and keep improving.”
United fans are very excited about which side will go up at Anfield; one that impressed against Chelsea or one that lost 3-0 against Bournemouth and comfortably exited the Champions League.
But it has gone under the radar that Liverpool have also been erratic, camouflaging their perfect home record in the off-season. Three years ago, it was January’s win over United and Alisson’s assist for Mohamed Salah that inspired the first Kop performance of ‘We’re Gonna Win the League’, a belief that victory was carrying.
‘We have to delay talking about the title’
Alisson is wary of predicting history again and is honest about the progress needed to match Klopp’s Premier League winners.
“It was a different time and a different time for that team,” he said.
“That game was amazing. He sent a message to our supporters. Supporters felt that. We felt as players at that moment that we had a great chance of winning the league – beating Man United, one of your biggest rivals, at home with that atmosphere and Mo’s scoring a goal with my assist. It makes you feel really good and gives you a big boost.
“Yes, of course, it’s good to remember every special moment. It happened in a big moment for the team and a special moment against a special club as well.
“But I think now we have another moment. We want to win in a consistent way.
“We have to slow down, not on our pace, but talking about the title race, because we are a rebuilding team. Of course we want to win the league, of course we want to beat every opponent.
“But we must always be focused on what is closest to us now. We also need to perform better, better than what we are doing, but I think we will succeed.”
