Ten Hag: We must suffer to succeed at Anfield
ERIK TEN HAG believes Manchester United will relish the white-hot atmosphere of Anfield tomorrow but admits his players must ‘suffer and sacrifice’ to beat old rivals Liverpool.
Although it will be Ten Hag’s first visit there as United manager, he knows what is lying in wait. ‘I’ve been to Anfield, yeah, I’m looking forward to it — the ambience, the atmosphere,’ he said. ‘It will be great, it will be hostile against us, but we like that. ‘Away from home, I think we’ve had some really good performances. For me it’s no different. The pitch is the same size everywhere, there are three referees, there’s a fourth (official), the ball is round. ‘So we have to play and to make it our game. Of course, we know the ambience will not be supporting us and you have to deal with that. But our players like to play in such atmospheres.
‘It’s a test. We’re facing Liverpool, we’re really looking forward to it and I know these players, my squad, my team, will be prepared to go there and fight.
‘We know we will have to suffer and we will have to sacrifice to get a good result. ‘Liverpool have really good management, a really good playing philosophy and a really good strategy.’
Reds boss Jurgen Klopp labelled his players ‘mentality monsters’ after they won the FA Cup and Carabao Cup last season, beating Chelsea in a penalty shootout on both occasions. Ten Hag was asked if it would be a fitting description for United’s squad after they lifted the Carabao Cup last weekend and advanced in the FA Cup and Europa League.
‘I think our team, our mentality in general, is very good,’ replied the Dutchman, who has established a 10-point lead over Liverpool in the Premier League.
‘We also have many leaders who set the mentality, who set the standards, who control the standards, who correct if necessary.’
United expect to have Luke Shaw back after injury and Jadon Sancho could return after missing the FA Cup win over West Ham in midweek through illness, but Anthony Martial is still unavailable.