'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
At the start of the 2018-19 campaign, Manchester City was the bookmakers favorite to be crowned the Premier League Champions with Liverpool being their closest challengers. The season started the way as everyone expected with City maintaining the top spot in the league until a sudden collapse in December saw the Reds ending the Christmas period as table toppers and four points ahead of Man City in the second place.
However, Jurgen Klopp's side failed to capitalize on that lead and drew some fixtures on the road to go level on points with City having played a game less. As Pep Guardiola prepares his team for the Carabao Cup final against Chelsea, Jurgen Klopp would be involved in the most anticipated fixture of the Premier League at Old Trafford.
Two months prior when these two sides met, it was somewhat walk in the park for the Reds as they humbled United 3-1 at Anfield. Since then, fortunes have turned around at the Theatre of Dreams as the Red Devils look to maintain their unbeaten run in the Premier League under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The confidence is high and so are the performances of the some the best players.
Jurgen Klopp would be wary United this time around and should set up his side accordingly to nullify the threat the home side could pose. United have a couple of game changers in their ranks, and Klopp needs to stop them from playing their usual way. Here are the three tactical changes that the Liverpool manager must employ to ensure a positive result against United.
#3 Isolate Matic and Herrera in the midfield
One of the reasons why Solskjaer has been successful for United so far is the work ethic of Matic and Herrera in the centre of the park. The Serbian sits in front of the defence and thwarts any threats that the opposition could cause from the counter-attack.
On the other hand, Herrera's liveliness and leadership have ensured proper understanding between the two central midfielders and maintain a rhythm in the team's play. The Spaniard is a threat at the opposition box as well as seen against Chelsea in the FA Cup.
Jurgen Klopp needs to ensure his team plays quick passing football in front of the United backline and disrupt the balance that the two holding midfielders give to this United side. Thomas Tuchel isolated Matic which left Herrera clueless as whom to mark and whom to let go. Klopp should do the same and force United to stay back in their half.
#2 Defend deep against Marcus Rashford
Marcus Rashford is an improved player under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. After suffering a dull phase under the former manager who even doubted his ability as a natural finisher, the England International has come good and restored his place as the number one striker in the side.
In the last few matches, Rashford has shown his quality both on and off the ball. On the one hand, his pace is a nightmare for a defender to play, while on the other Marcus could come up with an assist with his quick feet and dribbling ability.
Liverpool could not afford to commit too many men forward against this United side who are dangerous on the break. The goal against Spurs exemplified how a long ball from Pogba completely left Rashford 1-v-1 with Vertonghen, and the outcome was inevitable after that.
The two central defenders of Liverpool should make sure they start deep and position themselves a couple of yards ahead of Marcus who always looks for an opportunity to pounce on a through ball from Paul Pogba.
#1 Man-mark Paul Pogba
It's astonishing to see how a manager could have such a massive impact on the performance of a player. Paul Pogba fell out of favour under Jose Mourinho and was on the verge of quitting Old Trafford as PSG, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus knocked on the door.
However, he decided to stay back and once there was a change at the helm, the Frenchman is playing some of the best football of his career. He has a new record of the number of goals scored in a league anywhere in a single season. Pogba's assists and goals have contributed to nearly ninety per cent of the points United have collected under the caretaker manager.
The defeat against PSG highlighted Pogba's importance to the side. He was man-marked throughout the game by Marquinhos, and the Brazilian came out on top in most times. Pogba looked frustrated, and eventually got sent off after a second booking.
Jurgen Klopp has to use one of his midfielders to do the same work on Pogba that Marquinhos did and stop the Frenchman to be at his creative best. If Paul is not allowed to play the way he does, it could take away most of the attacking threat that Solskjaer has in the locker.
