Battle for second adds spice to derby
FOOTBALL: There is never any shortage of spice to the North West derby between Manchester United and Liverpool but if any were needed the battle for second place in the Premier League surely provides it.
With neighbours Manchester City 16 points clear at the top and needing just four more wins to be sure of the title, United fans would view Liverpool finishing above them as more salt in their wounds.
United, who are two points ahead of third-placed Liverpool, have lost one derby at Old Trafford this season, 2-1 to City in December, their only home defeat of the campaign.
“It is a big game against Liverpool,” United manager Jose Mourinho said.
“I think we both want to finish in the top four, but we both want to finish second.”
United have frustrated their supporters this season, showing glimpses of turning their individual quality into a potent collective unit but have failed to deliver consistency needed for a title challenge.
At Crystal Palace earlier this week Mourinho’s side fell behind 2-0 down to the relegation-threatened Londoners before rallying late to get the win.
Liverpool go into the game on the back of three successive league wins and with just one defeat in their past 20 games in the Premier League.
But defender Dejan Lovren (pictured) acknowledges the clash against his club’s bitterest rivals is a special occasion.
“It will be a massive game, one of the biggest games in Europe,” he said. “It’ll be a big fight for second place.”