Virgil van Dijk says Liverpool ought to be “aggressive” against Manchester United, admitting the visitors are “absolutely in form”.
United have lost just one league game since November while Liverpool lie ten points behind after a disappointing season. Jurgen Klopp’s side are unbeaten in their last four league outings although recently fell to a humbling 5-2 Champions League defeat to Real Madrid.
United travel to Anfield a week after lifting the Carabao Cup at Wembley, Erik ten Hag’s maiden trophy. The Reds boss said he is “looking forward” to the clash with Liverpool, describing the encounter as a “test“.
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He added: “I know these players, my squad, my team will be prepared to go and fight, to go with confidence but we know it's going to be difficult. We know we have to suffer, we have to sacrifice to get a good result.“
Van Dijk agreed that the fixture was a “massive” game but backs his side to perform despite August’s 2-1 loss at Old Trafford. “Yes [it's a massive game], so let's make sure everyone is at their best, including us but also the fans as they play a massive part too,” he told club media.
“But we should be confident, we should be aggressive and I'm looking forward to it because you want to be out there performing and showing what you can do. Let's give it a go.
“It is a bit of a game on its own. It's probably getting all the hype that comes with it and we are the ones who obviously are not in good form and they are absolutely in form.
“But we know what we are capable of and we have to be at our best – players, the fans and the whole build-up towards it.“
The rivalry between United and Liverpool need not be explained. Both Ten Hag and Klopp released a joint-statement on Saturday to urge fans not to exchange chants about tragedies both clubs have faced in their history.
“The rivalry between Manchester United and Liverpool is one of the greatest in world football. We all love the passion of the fans when our teams meet, but there are lines that should not be crossed,” Ten Hag said.
Klopp added: “One of the main reasons why the rivalry between Liverpool and Manchester United is so special is that it is so intense and no one should ever want to change this. But at the same time when the rivalry becomes too intense it can go to places that are not good for anyone and we do not need this.”
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