Man United face massive underdog test in FA Cup clash with Liverpool ahead of Premier League reverse

Taking on Liverpool for the first time this weekend ahead of a monumental Premier League clash next month, Manchester United look to keep their fleeting search for silverware alive this weekend in a high-stakes FA Cup clash with Jurgen Klopp’s side. 

United, who replied from a dominant 3-1 loss to defending Premier League champions, Manchester City earlier this month, saw a first-half penalty double salvo from both Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford dispatch relegation-threatened Everton – with Alejandro Garnacho winning both spot kicks.

As for Liverpool, the Merseyside club enters the final few months under the regime of German head coach maestro, Klopp – looking to potentially land their second league title crown under the former Dortmund manager, following a prior Carabao Cup success against Chelsea, and an impressive run in the UEFA Europa League. 

Making the short trip from Merseyside to Old Trafford this Sunday in a massive FA Cup quarter-final clash, hopeful fans still trying to find out where to buy Liverpool FC tickets can do so at the link provided above – with a large section in the away end of the Manchester stadium allocated to the travelling Kop faithful. 

Entering this weekend’s domestic cup match with arch-rivals, United, Liverpool progressed past Sparta Prague during a midweek UEFA Europa League clash – with a massive 6-1 win, through goals from Darwin Nunez, Bobby Clark, Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szobozlai, and a brace from Cody Gapko enough to secure an 11-2 victory on aggregate as Klopp’s side progressed through the last 16. 

Dumped out of European competition earlier this season following a tough group stage tenure against Bayern Munich, FC Copenhagen, and Turkish giants, Galatasaray, United were dumped out of the Carabao Cup early on to boot – with last season’s fellow finalists, Newcastle United turning in a victory at Old Trafford. 

Still firmly in the hunt for UEFA Champions League football next season, United looks to keep pace with both Aston Villa and London side, Tottenham Hotspurs with the Premier League very likely to receive another addition to a new format European cup through a 5th-place finish domestically. 

Sharing a 1-1-1 record in their three most recent Premier League meetings, Old Trafford has proven happy hunting grounds for the home side since the appointment of Erik ten Hag – with Jadon Sancho, and Marcus Rashford turning in goals in a 2-1 win.

Shipping a worrying 7-0 loss in a Premier League return at Anfield in a humiliating loss last season, a journey to Merseyside this season saw the sides share the points one apiece with a 0-0 draw. 

Both progressing through to this weekend’s quarter-final patch, United travelled to the City Ground with Casemiro firing the side through late on with a headed finish at the near post against Nottingham Forrest in a scrapping back-and-forth.

As for Liverpool, the league leaders put Championship side, Southampton to the sword with goals from youngsters, Lewis Koumas, and Jayden Danns enough to see the side through to this weekend’s battle with United. 

And ahead of this weekend’s nineteenth meeting between the two in the history of the FA Cup, United lead the line in terms of wins, reaching double figures with 10 victories, while Liverpool have landed four of their own to go with four draws between the duo. 

Three years ago was the last time both sides met in the competition, with Old Trafford hosting a thrilling five-goal glut between United and Liverpool, with Fernandes capping off a stunning 3-2 win with a well-placed free kick, following goals from Rashford, and academy product, Mason Greenwood. 

Sharing his thoughts on this weekend’s showdown, United head coach, ten Hag described the locking of horns between both sides as a “special” matchup.

“Some games are bigger than others,” Erik ten Hag said. “That’s definitely [true]. I think Manchester United vs. Liverpool is always a big game, but especially when it’s the quarter-final of the FA Cup. We’re really looking forward. It’s a special game, absolutely.” 

“They [Liverpool] are very consistent, and they perform very well, they got the results,” ten Hag explained. “Especially, I would say, around Christmas to January, February. They played very good football, very good performances and very good results.” 
One man sure to feature in this weekend’s quarter-final clash against United is the above-mentioned favourite, Salah – who has enjoyed an incredible run against the Red Devils, with Klopp confirming his likely feature in the clash.

“Mo is definitely ready,” Klopp said ahead of the match. “How many goals did he set up last night [against Sparta Prague]? Exceptional. Stranger game second half, would have loved to take him off but it wasn’t possible because of Bobby’s situation. Mo is pure quality. Ask him what he likes the most about Manchester United, but the more we talk about it, the less likely that it will happen again.”