Arne Slot, head coach of Liverpool during a training session at AXA Training Centre on October 17, 2025 in Kirkby, England.placeholder image
Arne Slot, head coach of Liverpool during a training session at AXA Training Centre on October 17, 2025 in Kirkby, England. | Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Manchester United make the journey to Anfield on Sunday to face an out-of-form Liverpool side
Manchester United head to Anfield to take on Liverpool on Sunday afternoon with the Reds struggling for form ahead of the Premier League contest.
Heading into the clash, Liverpool have lost their last three games in all competitions while for Ruben Amorim’s side - they have won two of their last three outings.
United haven’t won at Anfield for over nine years, with their last win on the red side of Stanley Park coming in January 2016 when Wayne Rooney scored the only goal of the game after 78 minutes.
Since that victory, the Red Devils have sustained some heavy losses at Anfield. However, Amorim drew 2-2 at the stadium on his first visit there back in January with United and Liverpool’s current run of form gives a greater sense of optimism.
Arne Slot reflects on Liverpool struggles as they prepare for Man Utd
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Arne Slot admitted what his side are struggling with most at the moment. He told assembled media: “I think what we can say if we compare ourselves to last season, we don't create as many chances as we did in the start of last season. But we are still the team that from open play creates the most xG chances, most shots on target. But we've conceded too many goals, that's for sure, and we've conceded nine, where four of them are from set-pieces.
“That was and still is, by the way, a strength of us, which sounds weird if you concede four, but that's not a reflection of the chances we've conceded in terms of set-pieces. The other five were two fast breaks and three from open play.
“I think in open play we are conceding too many crosses, so that is one of the things what we have to address and what we have to do better. Like Virgil [van Dijk] says, I think he means that teams are facing us differently than the first half of last season – but that is also what I've said.
“The amount of long balls that we are facing now compared to last season, I think we're already one-third on the way in the amount of long balls we have to defend compared to last season after seven games already. So, we have to find answers to that and the first answer is not to concede so many goals. Because if it's harder to score your goals, the best thing you can do is make it harder for teams to score against you as well.”
Benjamin Sesko can exploit Liverpool weakness at conceding crosses
Slot’s admission that Liverpool are conceding too many crosses should be music to the ears of the 6ft 5in Benjamin Sesko and his United teammates.
The striker may find it tough going up against Virgil van Dijk but if the likes of Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Mason Mount can supply the Slovenian with decent balls into the box, he will likely convert at least one big chance.
The former RB Leipzig man has already shown he is a force to be reckoned with in the air and if Liverpool’s weakness right now is conceding too many crosses - then Amorim has the perfect recipe to cook up three points at Anfield on Sunday.
Defensively United will need to remain sound but Liverpool are vulnerable. They have only kept two clean sheets all season and there inability to stop crosses could work hugely in United’s favour.
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