Liverpool full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold is not underestimating Manchester United’s challenge in their upcoming Premier League clash on Sunday. Despite the stark contrast in form between the two teams, Alexander-Arnold is urging his teammates to embrace the battle that awaits them at Anfield.
Manchester United’s recent setbacks in the Premier League and Champions League have put them under immense pressure heading into this high-stakes encounter. They suffered a 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth at Old Trafford before a heart-wrenching 1-0 loss to Bayern Munich in Europe’s elite competition.
On the other hand, Liverpool is soaring at the top of the Premier League table and are clear favorites to overpower a struggling United side. The Reds have recorded emphatic wins of 7-0 and 4-0 in their last two meetings at Anfield, a fact that further bolsters their confidence ahead of this crucial fixture.
In an interview with Premier League Productions, Alexander-Arnold highlighted the magnitude of the upcoming match, labeling it as “probably the biggest game of the season, home or away.” When asked about his mindset for the game, the right-back succinctly stated, “Just win! That’s the main thing.”
He emphasized the importance of maintaining a winning mentality, regardless of external factors such as form and table standings. Alexander-Arnold reiterated that the players’ approach does not change, as they prepare to face United, stressing that “form goes out the window in these kind of games.”
While Liverpool could lose their top spot in the Premier League standings if Arsenal secures a victory before their game on Sunday, they have displayed exceptional form at home this season, winning all seven of their league games at Anfield. Conversely, Manchester United has faltered on the road, suffering defeats to Tottenham, Arsenal, and Newcastle.
The upcoming clash between Liverpool and Manchester United promises to be an enthralling battle, with both teams eager to secure three valuable points. As the players prepare to take the field, the commentary and speculation surrounding form and previous encounters fade into insignificance, with the sole focus being on who wants it more and who can execute their game plan to perfection.
Trent Alexander-Arnold urged his Liverpool teammates not to shy away from the “battle” of Sunday’s meeting with Manchester United despite the two teams’ contrasting fortunes so far this season.
The Red Devils visit Anfield after setbacks in the Premier League and Europe, being beaten 3-0 by Bournemouth at Old Trafford before exiting the Champions League with a 1-0 loss to Bayern Munich.
Liverpool sat top of the English top flight heading into Gameweek 17 and are heavy favourites to dispatch a United side they have previously beaten 7-0 and 4-0 in their last two meetings at Anfield.
“It is probably the biggest game of the season, home or away,” Alexander-Arnold told Premier League Productions.
Asked about his feelings ahead of the game, the right-back added: “Just win! That’s the main thing. It’s the mentality I’ve got going into every game, to be honest.
“People will talk about their form, our form, results and what’s going on within the clubs, potentially make excuses and things like that, but for us as players it’s still the same game.
“Just because we’re top of the league and they’re not, and they’re potentially going through a bad run of form or whatever, it’s not like we go into the game 1-0 up. It’s still 0-0, 11v11, and it’s a battle.
“Form goes out the window in these kind of games, it’s [about] who wants it more, who is willing to execute the game plan better and who wants to go and get the three points.”
Liverpool could be knocked off top spot in the Premier League before they take to the field on Sunday should Arsenal beat Brighton but have won all seven of their home league games so far this season. United, by contrast, have already lost on the road to European qualification rivals Tottenham, Arsenal and Newcastle in 2023/24.
