Liverpool’s Georginio Wijnaldum expects tough test from Manchester United due to Jose Mourinho sacking
In December, Jose Mourinho and Manchester United left Anfield embarrassed, 19 points adrift of their rivals and closer to the relegation zone than the Premier League summit.
Liverpool’s 3-1 victory, their biggest win over United since 2011, released the guillotine on Mourinho’s two-and-a-half year spell at Old Trafford.
Arguably Georginio Wijnaldum’s finest season thus far at Liverpool, the Dutch midfielder played 90 minutes that day and is looking forward to meeting them once again in Manchester.
But Wijnaldum knows that this United, reinvigorated under Solskjaer, will be a different prospect to that of just two months ago.
“I think it is going to be a real big change. Since the new manager came in there is a new flow,” he said.
“They played good games and have won a lot and that is building confidence in the team.
“It's also a home game for them so they will have a lot of confidence as they don't have the problems they had before.
“It is going to be a difficult game but I'm looking forward to it.”
As if stakes of pride, bitter hatred and bragging rights needed raising, the game this Sunday could have serious implications on Champions League qualification and title challenges.
Lose and Wijnaldum’s side waste their game in hand on Manchester City, but win and they could regain pole position from Pep Guardiola whilst denting their rival’s chances of Champions League football next season.
United’s trajectory in this year’s competition seems all but decided heading into a second leg with Paris Saint-Germain 2-0 down.
Last season's finalists Liverpool are much more optimistic about their chances of progression to the quarter finals after a 0-0 draw with Bayern Munich.
“I think it is a good result for both,” Wijnaldum said. “I think a lot of teams when they come to Anfield and they play a draw they think it is a good result. I don't think it is a bad result for them. But neither is it for us.”
Wijnaldum has started every Champions League game for the Reds this campaign and suggests that Bayern will be cautious in the return leg on 13 March.
“I don't think they will play really open because they know we are good on the counter-attack, but they also know we score goals with good football and create chances.
“The only thing is if we go there and score a goal they have to score two.”
