Carrick out to consolidate bid for permanent United head coach job
AFTER three significant consecutive wins in the Premier League, Liverpool next visit Old Trafford for a huge North West Derby at Manchester United.
After the crucial victories over Fulham, Everton and Crystal Palace, Liverpool have momentum on their side and will hopefully continue their upward trajectory.
The Reds currently trail the Red Devils, who are in third place, by three points.
A win with a two-goal margin could even see them leapfrog their long-standing English rivals on goal difference.
Both teams aim to secure their spots in next season’s UEFA Champions League and cannot afford to get complacent by dropping points.
The Reds should also be motivated to avenge their 2-1 loss to Man United in the reverse fixture earlier this season.
Despite dominating possession and having more shots at goal, Liverpool fell to an 84th-minute goal by Harry Maguire.
With Man United also having won back-to-back matches and being in good form under interim head coach Michael Carrick, it certainly won’t be a walk in the park for the Reds.
The spate of injuries besieging Liverpool throughout the season will not make things easier for Arne Slot either.
Alisson Becker, who has been out with a muscle injury since March, will have to undergo a late fitness check before being cleared to play and has a 50% chance of featuring.
With second-choice keeper Giorgi Mamardashvili also injured, Freddie Woodman, who made his full league debut in the 3-1 win over Palace last week, should be retained in goal.
The 29-year-old has certainly impressed, making numerous saves, and he also played a key role in one of the three goals.
He was unlucky not to keep a clean sheet.
Curtis Jones − primarily a midfielder − has impressed too despite being asked to play as a makeshift right-back, and should also be retained in the backline, alongside Virgil van Dijk, Milos Kerkez and Ibrahima Konate.
In midfield, Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister should double up as the pivot protecting the backline.
Alexander Isak, who scored last week, should again lead the attack, with Cody Gakpo, Dominik Szoboszlai and Florian Wirtz in support.
Mohamed Salah, who is departing Liverpool after the season ends, will be a big miss due to a hamstring injury.
The Egyptian is often fired up when playing against United, and he holds the record for the most league goals against them, with 13 in 16 appearances.
At Old Trafford, Salah alone has scored 10 goals, the most by any visiting player, including a hat-trick during that famous 5-0 win in 2021.
As for United, they will also be without several key players.
Luke Shaw, Matthijs de Ligt and Matheus Cunha are out due to injuries, while Lisandro Martinez is suspended.
Senne Lammens will be in goal, with Maguire, Diogo Dalot, Ayden Heaven and Noussair Mazraoui in front of him.
Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro will be the double pivot in midfield while the attack should consist of Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo, Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo.
Carrick’s role as head coach could be made permanent after a good run of results and performance by his team.
Since his appointment in January, he has guided United to nine league wins and two draws, with two losses.
Several players have also been impressive under Carrick, including Fernandes, who has registered 19 assists this season, just one short of the all-time Premier League record in a single season, jointly held by Thierry Henry and Kevin de Bruyne.
Mainoo, who lost his spot under former manager Ruben Amorim, has found a new lease of life with Carrick and is currently considered undroppable and an important cog in the midfield.
Casemiro has also enjoyed a significant resurgence, contributing nine league goals and four assists while being defensively solid.
The derby between two of England’s most successful teams is always billed as the league’s most anticipated match.
Both sides often bring out the best, and sometimes the worst, in each other, as things get heated and tackles start flying.
In the last 10 matches in all competitions, Liverpool hold the advantage with four wins while Man United have three.
At Old Trafford, the Reds have enjoyed some good results, including a 3-0 win in Slot’s first season as head coach.
The Dutchman, who has been heavily criticised over Liverpool’s poor season so far with calls for his sacking, can maybe earn a reprieve from supporters if he manages to secure all three points against the old enemy.
Indeed, even in a poor season, it would mean a lot if Liverpool could get one over on United.
