Michael Carrick has called Manchester United’s meetings with Liverpool some of his favourites, while Arne Slot says victory will be an ‘important’ step for the Reds towards Champions League qualification.
The pair meet at Old Trafford on Super Sunday (kick-off 3.30pm), with three points separating the sides in the top four.
It remains one of the biggest games and rivalries in the Premier League, and one that Carrick has plenty of experience playing in.
“It’s certainly one of my favourite games. It’s a standout game,” the Man Utd head coach said in his pre-match press conference. “There’s big games and big rivalries that we have with other teams, but this one is right up there.
“The history, the ups and downs the history has produced in these kinds of games and the excitement, entertainment and emotion, which is a huge part of it, makes it a really special game.
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Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick talks about Kobbie Mainoo after he signed a new five-year contract with the club.
“It’s the edge and the competition, irrespective of league positions over the years of who has been on top at certain times, it’s never really changed the feeling of the game and the emotion of the supporters.
“It’s a special game to be part of and to come out on top is the best feeling you can get.”
Man Utd were 2-1 winners at Anfield in the reverse fixture in October under former boss Ruben Amorim. Man Utd have not won both Premier League matches against Liverpool since the 2015/16 season.
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Highlights from the Premier League clash between Liverpool and Manchester United.
Last season Liverpool won 3-0 at Old Trafford, before a 2-2 draw at home.
Discussing how Carrick has improved Man Utd since taking over, Reds boss Slot said: “Last season when we played them, they were not in the same league position than they are now and I said that their players are better than their league position shows.
Sunday 3rd May 2:00pm
Kick off 3:30pm
“Another transfer window adding a lot of players and that has resulted finally in that we see… We know that they are really good but now they are showing it in the league table.
“It might be a bit of an advantage that they only play once a week. When we have played them every time, I have seen how good they are and now they have, especially under Michael Carrick, become more consistent in their results.”
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Arne Slot has confirmed that Mo Salah will not be available for Liverpool on Sunday due to injury but says he will return before the end of the season..
Will the race for Europe add an extra edge?
Not that a match between Man Utd and Liverpool needs much more spice, but the two clubs are close in the Premier League table as they look to secure Champions League football next season.
Man Utd are third, followed by Liverpool, who are level on 58 points with Aston Villa in fifth and are ahead on goal difference. A win for the Reds this weekend is likely to confirm their spot in Europe’s premier competition.
Slot said: “Every game you play, it has influence on your league position… We are aware of the fact that it is a very big game, not only because we play Man Utd but also to qualify for Champions League and to get the highest possible position in the league table.
“I wouldn’t say it is a step forward, but it is the right step to make. We know how important it is to qualify for the Champions League.
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Highlights from the Premier League match between Liverpool and Crystal Palace.
“It is an important step. Is it a step forward? It is definitely not a step backwards, but it is an important step to make.”
For Carrick’s part, the effect any result might have on the Premier League table is not something he is thinking about too much, but says the potential to finish above Liverpool this season shows how far the team have come.
He said: “It shows the improvements of the group and getting stronger to be coming into this game in a good position on the back of some good results.
“We’re fully aware of the situation in the league and how close it is between us, but that’s not something we’ve focused on.
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Highlights from the Premier League match between Manchester United and Brentford.
“It’s a one-off game. They’ve got some good players and they won the league last year, and we respect everything that goes into the game.
“We’re treating it as a one-off game and the league is what it is. Sunday is a whole different ball game.
“It’s real privilege for us all to be involved in it… it’s two incredible football clubs and to be so close together in so many ways, in terms of titles and geography, to have such an impact over such a time is so special.”
Watch Man Utd vs Liverpool live on Sky Sports on Super Sunday from 2pm; kick-off 3.30pm.
