Arne Slot stressed that despite Manchester United's problems this season, he is confident Ruben Amorim's side are better than the league table shows and that the Portuguese manager will 'ultimately get the best out of them'.
'It's a big game. In my opinion, they have much better players than the rankings may indicate,” Slot said. It may take a while for Ruben to get the most out of the players, but they will definitely go up.”
Ahead of Sunday's match at Anfield, the Liverpool boss added that he sympathizes with Amorim, who has lost six of his 11 games since taking over at Old Trafford in November as United finished in 14th place.
'I think every manager sympathizes with every other manager because we all know how much pressure this job brings. That is no different for him and for me,” says Slot.
'This is a job with pressure and we like that too, otherwise we wouldn't be doing this. He has done so well at Sporting. He has a good team, so he will ultimately get the best out of them.”
At his pre-match press conference, Slot Virgil praised Van Dijk for the match against United, marking seven years since the Liverpool captain made his debut at Anfield.
'I have to make a long list because the best players in the world have so many qualities. Virgil has game intelligence: he reads the game very well, he is big and strong and fast.
'I was impressed from the first session with how he is in possession, I was 'wow'. He is a complete player. Same as Mo (Salah), otherwise you are not one of the best players in the world or the best in your position.
“Even for Virgil, there are probably some things he can improve on, but he's doing a great job for us. He is also the one who leads the team. I hear one player in the session and that is Virgil.'
And Slot said he has warned his players that it will not be easy playing against United, despite Liverpool winning 3-0 at Old Trafford in September. In the same match last season, Liverpool had 34 shots but failed to score in a goalless draw.
“When you have 34 shots I say you need a bit of luck, but maybe it was defended very well by United,” Slot said.
'We have to be as prepared as possible. You will be dealing with quality players and they will think this is an opportunity to make their fans proud again. Those quality players are always dangerous.'
Liverpool are six points clear at the top of the Premier League, with a game in hand against second-place Arsenal.
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