Solskjaer eager to get one over on Liverpool
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer cannot wait to take table-topping Manchester United to reigning champions Liverpool today, when the 1999 treble hero will attempt to mastermind his first win against their bitter rivals.
The Norwegian enjoyed his fair share of success against the Reds during his medal-laden playing days, but has failed to beat Jurgen Klopp’s men since taking over as manager in December 2018.
Solskjaer claimed it would be an “upset” if he oversees victory against Liverpool at the fourth time of asking, despite his in-form side heading into he Anfield encounter as Premier League leaders.
The Red Devils boss has consistently played down the importance of being top at this stage of the season, but is looking forward to the match as much as anyone.
“You’re always excited when you’re going to play against teams of that quality and calibre and, for us, form goes out the window,” six-time title winner Solskjaer said.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s first or last game, when you go to Anfield it’s a big game for the club, for the players, for the fans. I’m really looking forward to it because we’re in good form at the moment.
“You don’t get anything for being at the top of the league in January, so no, it’s not congratulations, it’s not something we’ve ever really valued. It doesn’t matter. It’s where you end up at the end of the season that matters.”
Solskjaer’s three previous matches against Liverpool have brought just two points, with a pair of home draws followed by a 2-0 loss at Anfield last January.
“We’re a much better side now than a year ago,” said Solskjaer, whose team won 1-0 at Burnley on Tuesday.
“I think the last few years it’s been two teams running away with it by the end of October, so at least now we’re in it halfway.”
United have won nine matches during an unbeaten 11-game Premier League run after impressively navigating their way through the festive period.
A lack of injuries to key players certainly helped during that run, with defenders Brandon Williams and Phil Jones the only players
definitely ruled out. Anthony Martial is among those that will be assessed and Solskjaer suggested Liverpool would come too soon for exciting 18-yearold addition Amad Diallo, who began training with United this week after joining from Atalanta.
Solskjaer added: “Amad has looked really comfortable and he’s settled in really well in training.
“It shows how technically adept he is and, of course, we’ll give him time to settle and adjust, but, hopefully, we can see him on the pitch before too long. He’s done well in training.”
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp admits he has tried to lessen the expectation on Thiago Alcantara by suggesting he is like a new signing for January, but the midfielder could have a crucial part to play this weekend. The Spain international’s outing in last week’s FA Cup win over Aston Villa was only his fifth since his arrival in September after being sidelined first by Covid-19 and then a knee injury.
Thiago has played just 242 Premier League minutes – the least of all the club’s outfield players – but in that short time has displayed the sort of quality in terms of passing ability and ball retention which may be vital against their arch-rivals.
Klopp accepts it is difficult to shield a player who won the Champions League with Bayern Munich in the summer from expectation any more.
“To put the pressure a little bit off the situation I said we should sign Thiago in the window, but we did and now he is here let’s hope he stays like this for a long, long, long, long time,” he said.
“The most important thing is he is fit and he trained. He had 90 and 45 minutes in the last two games.
“We will see if he can play and which position he can play because there are options.
“But it is really good to have him around now. He is a really good guy and an exceptional football player. It is like a new signing.”
Klopp’s side have had a bit of wobble recently and failing to win in their last three league matches allowed United to overtake them at the top.
But the Reds boss has had more than a week to prepare for the game and is confident they have put their recent woes behind them.
“We are now in a place where we want to be,” said Klopp. “We know what we have to do.
“Now, we have to put in place on the pitch.”