Arne Slot is preparing for his first Northwest derby (Photo: Getty)
Arne Slot’s Liverpool tactics could ‘play into Manchester United’s hands’ when the two rivals meet in the Premier League, according to Paul Merson.
Liverpool travel to Old Trafford on Sunday in what will be Slot’s first experience of the ‘Northwest derby’.
The Dutch manager has made an impressive start to life at Anfield, winning his first two games 2-0 against Ipswich and Brentford.
United away will be a very tough test, with opposite number Erik ten Hag unbeaten in this fixture since he arrived at Old Trafford two years ago.
That is a record Merson believes will remain intact this weekend, telling Sky Sports: ‘This is a big, big football match. Liverpool have to go to United and get a result and if you’re a United fan it’s a cup final.
‘I thought they [United] did alright against Fulham, they played some good football. Against Brighton they were unlucky, the disallowed goal hits his [Joshua Zirkzee’s] knee but they shouldn’t lose that football match. At worst you come away from there with a draw.
‘I don’t see United losing this game, I think United cause Liverpool problems. I think it’ll be an entertaining 2-2 draw.’
Erik ten Hag has never lost to Liverpool at Old Trafford in three games (Photo: Getty)
Merson’s prediction is based on how Liverpool have changed tactically from Jurgen Klopp to Slot, suggesting that while United struggled to cope with the previous manager’s all out attack style, they will fare better against the new boss’ philosophy.
‘Liverpool are a different team now, they’re not going to play the Klopp way,’ the Arsenal icon added.
‘The manager has come in with his own ideas and he’s more solid, more cautious. They’ve got great players up front where the manager goes, “you lot get on with it, win us the game and we’ll make sure we’re solid at the back”.
‘United don’t want a gun-ho game so I think this plays into United’s hands that Liverpool will come and play a bit safer. Because if this gets into an end-to-end football match, Liverpool have more of a threat and better players all around the pitch.
‘So for me, that’s how it plays into United’s hands, the way Liverpool will play away [from home]. I think it will be an entertaining game, there’s too much talent going forward on this pitch for there not to be goals.’
The big clash could also see debuts for both sides, with Liverpool set to sign Juventus forward Federico Chiesa.
United meanwhile have been very active in the transfer market, with top target Manuel Ugarte on his way from PSG in a deal worth up to £50.7million.
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