Although United’s season has started slowly, its fierce opponents have demonstrated what may happen next.
When he claimed this week that major teams are never more than one game away from a crisis, Vincent Kompany probably had it right.
He will be looking to inflict more suffering on Manchester United this weekend, a team whose struggles over the previous few years have made crisis their middle name. The Reds have dropped their previous three games in all competitions, have a long list of ailments, and there are doubts about their identity and approach. Without looking further into the background, that is just on the field.
A team that has played three games at home and lost three of them will face a team that has played three games away and lost three of them tonight at Turf Moor. There must be a sacrifice.
United’s season has gotten off to a bad start, with dismal home performances and nonexistent away results. Six points from five contests is insufficient. There are mitigating factors, and the Reds should look to Merseyside for inspiration on how to get things back on track.
Liverpool is one of the early pacesetters this season, but last year, life in the Anfield garden was far from idyllic. Only two of their first eight games were victories, and they collected just 10 points. Even when they appeared to get off to a strong start at home against Manchester City and West Ham, they then lost to Nottingham Forest and Leeds United.
They recorded twice as many losses (four) in their first dozen games as they did throughout the entire prior season, which meant they only had 16 points overall. They were also dealing with an abundance of injuries, somewhat unlike the issues at Old Trafford right now.
The Merseysiders finished the season without a trophy or a spot in the Champions League, but they did so with an 11-game unbeaten streak before planning a summer makeover. Players with little resale value from the squad, including Roberto Firmino, James Milner, Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Naby Keita, were let go. Prior to their departures, Jurgen Klopp had already signed Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo and strengthened this summer by bringing in younger players who were suited for the method he uses.
Erik ten Hag is able to mirror it. Ten Hag and United could easily replicate Klopp’s team’s strategy of finishing last season, trimming their deadwood in the summer, and continuing their on-field momentum this season. His start to this season has been as awful as Liverpool’s was last, the injury mitigation stood for both clubs.
The Old Trafford team restructuring is still ongoing. For players like Harry Maguire, Scott McTominay, Anthony Martial, Jadon Sancho, and others who are no longer first choices or needed, this very well may be their final season. The new period is being led by Rasmus Hojlund, and a summer of additional change in 2024 might help the Reds even more and give them the ability to start Ten Hag’s third season strong. It may imply taking one step back to be followed by two strides ahead.
And here’s another thing to think about: Klopp won the Champions League championship in his third full season as manager of Liverpool.