By Shaun Stephens
Old Trafford is home to another big game this weekend as it so often is.
Manchester United vs Liverpool on Saturday pits two managers at opposite ends of the football spectrum against each other.
Jose Mourinho and Jurgen Klopp are both heavyweight managers but there football philosophies differ. Mourinho’s United are a solid and formidable opponent with a focus on the defensive side of the game.
Klopp’s Liverpool are an exciting forward thinking side, and when they are at their best, they are a match for any side in Europe. This game is being billed as the battle for secondplace but both managers will be looking beyond that and will have an eye on next season. Manchester City are the runaway leaders this season but the question is, who is in a better position to challenge for the title next season?
It has been a tongue in cheek saying for Liverpool fans that next year is indeed their year but they will be saying that with a lot more confidence at this moment of time. Jurgen Klopp’s side are currently winning plaudits of football experts across Europe with their eye catching style of football.
It has taken Klopp maybe longer than expected to get his Liverpool side to reach the standard that his Dortmund team was renowned for but he would feel he is approaching that standard. Liverpool have played some excellent football this season and they are also the only side to beat Manchester City in the current campaign.
They hold the record for most away goals scored in a Champions League knockout game by an English club. If you asked any of the teams left in the Champions League who is a side they would like to avoid Liverpool would be high on that list.
Klopp has taken a slow approach in regards to recruitment and has tried to sign players that will only add to the balance of his side and now it seems the balance is just right. The front three of Firmino, Salah, and Mane is devastating. It is frightening to imagine that before January, Coutinho was also in that mix.
Many Liverpool fans will tell you that they have been crying out for a dominant centre back for many seasons so the signing of Van Dijk has been vital. The one signing that will propel them to maintain a challenge for the league title next season has yet to arrive.
Naby Keita lit up the Europa league on Thursday night with a energetic performance in midfield. Many people who have not watched Keita make the assumption that he is an N’golo Kante style player but this is not the case. Keita is the complete midfield player.
He is as good going forward as he is going back. His assist for Werner’s goal against Zenit St Petersburg on Thursday emphasised this.
Keita picked up the ball and ran at Zenit’s defence before slotting through a inch perfect through ball. Keita had 102 touches of the ball and attempted seven dribbles. Statistics like this will get Liverpool fans excited. Can you imagine his all action performances complementing the already dangerous attack of Jurgen Klopp’s men.
Mourinho’s United are in a peculiar position. Rumors circulate that Anthony Martial will not be offered a new deal. The arrival of Alexis Sanchez was seen as a coup and a real victory over Manchester City but this has not proven to be the case.
His arrival has meant that the talented Marcus Rashford has seen playing time slashed and this is a real concern for United fans. Paul Pogba has yet to establish himself as the superstar midfielder United expected when he made the move from Italy.
This is down to him being asked to play a defensive role for Mourinho’s team which does not suit his strengths at all. Gary Neville said after the Crystal Palace game that David De Gea is the only world class player in the current United squad and it is hard to argue with the Salford City owner.
De Gea is sure to be of interested to Real Madrid when the transfer window reopens and it will be interesting to see if United keep hold of their star man.
Mourinho will definitely look to improve his United squad, and I am sure he will have them ready to challenge next season, but his methods have not worked this season and he will never change his ways.
This weekend’s game is sure to give a better indication of who can challenge for the title next season.
Liverpool have a lot of promise but Jose Mourinho and Manchester United should never be written off. The game is scheduled for a Saturday lunchtime kick off and is set to make for interesting viewing.
