Liverpool have two of the biggest rivalries in English football with Manchester United and Everton.
Both fixtures harbour a local edge for the Reds, which makes it all the more important.
The Toffees are, of course, their neighbours in the city, whereas United are their rivals from the region whom they have battled for years to be better than.
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Arne Slot has already had a taste of the Merseyside derby and the United game in his first year as manager, as he prepares his team for another Anfield clash against the Red Devils.
But given the historical context of the match and the bitter rivalry, managing players’ emotions and the occasion is key to winning this game, no matter where it takes place.
Arne Slot, Manager of Liverpool, acknowledges the fans following the team's victory during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield.
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
Wayne Rooney is a man who is no stranger to each rivalry, given he has played for both teams, and he is a Scouser, so he has as great an understanding as anyone about what this fixture means to the fan bases.
Wayne Rooney says Liverpool’s Manchester United rivalry has more deep hatred
The former striker has played 27 Premier League games against the Reds for both clubs that have the bitterest rivalries with Liverpool, and scored multiple times to pile on the misery, mainly during the years with United.
Unsurprisingly, the 39-year-old believes that the rivalry between the Mancunian club and the Reds is rooted in ‘deep hatred’ compared to the one with the Toffees.
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Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show, he explained why there is a difference between those two fixtures despite the strong feeling supporters have for both.
Rooney said: “I think the Liverpool, United one is, it’s more deep hatred, I think. I think Everton and Liverpool, because, your family are Liverpool fans, and so it’s not, it’s not hatred, but it’s just, it’s a rivalry where I think United, Liverpool is more deep, deep hatred.”
It is going to be a very interesting game between United and Liverpool, given that neither is as in form as they would have hoped, with Slot’s side in a slump of sorts with three losses on the bounce.
Arne Slot has a big chance to instil confidence back into Liverpool
Ever since that run of defeats, it has been discussed in the media and among some of the fans that the title hopes of Liverpool have dwindled, with most forgetting the undefeated run at the start of the season.
But while this fixture is not the most ideal one to return with following the international break, it may just be what the Dutchman needs to get his side’s confidence back.
The context of this game, including the fact that it will be at Anfield, will bring a different mentality for a team who have had a hit to their form, and with the fans trying to spur them on, it could be a classic.