When Liverpool won 3-0 at Old Trafford in September, Manchester United fell to 14th in the Premier League — and nothing has got any better for them.
Fourteenth is still where they still find themselves more than four months later, but by now they’re a massive 23 points behind their biggest rivals, the Premier League leaders, ahead of Sunday’s clash at Anfield.
Such has been United’s downfall that they are no longer looking up at European spots but looking over their shoulder at teams below them steadily improving and dragging Ruben Amorim’s side into a potential relegation scrap.
On his part, Amorim is well aware of the reality facing England’s most successful club that has not won the league since 2013 while their fans look forlornly at Liverpool, who are well on course to equal United’s record tally of 20 titles.
With a game in hand, Arne Slot’s Liverpool are six points clear of second-placed Arsenal while they have more than double United’s tally with 45 points.
“I think people are tired of excuses at this club. This club needs a shock,” said Amorim, who made the honest admission that United could be involved in a relegation battle.
Much of United’s struggles are down to ex-manager Erik ten Hag being unable to turn things around, but Amorim has lost five of his last six league games in charge.
He also remains wedded to selling his philosophy even if the team needs more time to come to terms with the Portuguese manager’s style of play.
“If I’m going to change all the time it is going to be even worse,” he added.
One manager who does not need to change things much is Slot as his team looks to extend their unbeaten run to 24 games in all competitions.
Liverpool have lost only one game this year and their form against United, who have beaten their rivals only once in the last 13 league games, makes them huge favourites on Sunday.
Slot could also become the first Liverpool boss in 88 years to accomplish the league double over United in his debut season which has been near-perfect on the field.
Off the pitch, though, the contract situation of the league’s top scorer Mohamed Salah, captain Virgil van Dijk and Real Madrid-linked Trent Alexander-Arnold have routinely been distractions.
But Slot has batted away any question thrown at him without batting an eyelid while Salah, who has 17 goals and 13 assists this season, continues to set new milestones as he looks ahead to playing his favourite opponents.
No player has scored more goals (12) and provided more assists (six) against United in Premier League history than Salah.
Tottenham kick off the weekend with a home game against Newcastle, who have won their last four games to move up to fifth.
Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs are in a fix themselves in 11th place with several players unavailable either through injury or suspension.
West Ham shipped five goals against Liverpool and their task does not get any easier when they travel to Manchester City without top scorer Jarrod Bowen who fractured his foot.
Chelsea travel to Crystal Palace while Arsenal make a trip to the south coast to take on Brighton, who are looking to snap a seven-match winless run in all competitions.
https://thewest.com.au/sport/soccer/liverpool-set-to-heap-more-misery-on-woeful-man-utd-c-17267999
