Ian Ladyman has claimed that Manchester United will beat Liverpool this weekend in their decisive FA Cup quarter-final clash at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Erik ten Hag’s side will host the Premier League’s joint leaders at Old Trafford on Sunday in a titanic FA Cup quarter-final clash.
United could be buoyed by the return of Rasmus Hojlund, who missed their previous three games with a muscle injury.
Liverpool could also receive an injury boost for the match, with Jurgen Klopp hinting this week that Mohamed Salah could start for the Reds, after coming off the bench in their big clash against Man City last weekend.
Despite that, Chris Sutton and Ian Ladyman have given their predictions for Sunday’s big rivalry on It’s All Kicking Off, with the latter insisting Liverpool could have run out of steam.
Ian Ladyman (left) and Chris Sutton (right) have made their predictions for Man United’s clash against Liverpool on Sunday.
Joint league leaders Liverpool will travel to Old Trafford to take on rivals Man United.
The Red Devils could be boosted by the return of their forward Rasmus Hojlund, who has missed the last four games with a muscle injury.
Your browser does not support iframes.
“Chris, things aren’t any easier for Liverpool,” Ladyman said. “Manchester City in the Premier League last weekend, Manchester United away in the FA Cup this weekend.”
Sutton responded: “Well, I think it becomes a lot easier for Liverpool to compare Manchester United and Manchester City and realize that they are of a similar level.” I do not agree with that.
“We know there is a big rivalry, but I suspect that if Liverpool recover and perform as they are capable of, I think their performance in the second half at Anfield (we talked about it on Monday) was quite sensational.”
“If they are anywhere near that level then Manchester United are in big trouble.”
Liverpool put in an excellent performance to once again seal a draw against City at the weekend and remain neck and neck with Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table with 64 points.
But as the title race heats up, with Liverpool second on goal difference, Ladyman expressed his view of Sunday’s match, stating that Liverpool’s recent run of form, having been defeated once in their last 10 games , may have reached them.
“So there are two things here,” Ladyman said. “Firstly, there is no easy trip to Old Trafford to go to Liverpool.
‘Believe me, this has never happened, it will never happen. They (Liverpool) have had very good results there recently, we know, United are not a great team. But it’s Man United, it’s Old Trafford, it’s difficult, it’s emotional and Liverpool have been pumping adrenaline and emotion lately.
Rasmus Hojlund could return from injury for Man United’s FA Cup clash against Liverpool this Sunday
Despite being sidelined with a muscle injury, Hojlund has scored seven goals in his last six Premier League games.
‘I wonder how long they can keep this up. I’m going to take a chance. “I think they will lose on Sunday.”
The Reds host Sparta Prague on Thursday night in the Europa League and while they will want to secure a place in the semi-finals of the tournament, it is likely that Jurgen Klopp will be able to rest some key stars as his team is 5 – 1 overall score for the second leg.
Ladyman added: “I think United will find something on Sunday and I think Liverpool will lose.” Although Liverpool have been or may have been helped a little by some Manchester United team news that appears to have been delivered by Danish manager Kasper Hjulmand, who told the world that Rasmus Hojlund, the most likely source of the team’s goals Manchester United, he is injured. -he is fit and ready to play on Sunday.”
United received a major injury boost earlier this week after Hjulmand revealed to Danish media that the striker would be fit and ready to play against Liverpool, having been ruled out of United’s last four games for a muscle injury.
Ladyman hinted that Erik ten Hag would be enraged by the Danish coach’s comments
Liverpool remained neck and neck with Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table after drawing 1-1 at Man City at the weekend.
He had reportedly said: “Rasmus will play on Sunday against Liverpool and should approach the match well.” That’s what we hope for. We are in contact with United. “I’ve spoken to Erik and we hope that happens.”
But Ladyman admitted the Manchester United boss would have been furious at the reports, stating: “I mean, Eric ten Hag will be absolutely furious about this, if it’s true.” It’s that part at the end where he says: I’ve talked to Eric. In other words: “I heard it from the horse’s mouth. He is playing.”
Sutton replied: ‘Yeah, that’s a bit strange. I mean, I suspect Liverpool would have had a good idea and planned for him to play anyway. I think it makes a big difference for Manchester United, but nothing like a private conversation coming to light. I suspect Ten Hag will be a little angry.
‘Furious?’ Ladyman responded. ‘Dude, it’s going to be off the scale. He will be off scale pissed off about this. Yes, of course he will. It is extraordinary behavior on the part of an international manager. Imagine if Alex Ferguson was still manager of Manchester United or Jose Mourinho.
“Yes, look, I understand all that, but we knew Hojlund was close,” said the former Aston Villa striker. ‘I mean, it’s not like anyone thought this wouldn’t happen. And he just let the cat out of the bag a little early.
Ladyman replied: ‘Yes, about four days before, to be precise. Look, I think United can beat them and I have a feeling United will beat them.”
Ladyman added, however, that “something has to give for Liverpool” and that United “occasionally have a performance in them.”
But Sutton was interested to hear his co-hosts’ reasoning and asked the Mail Sport reporter: “Based on what?” Because you are, this is a numbers game with you, right?
‘And based on recent performances, based on the performance against Everton, based on the performance against Fulham, tell us why? If Liverpool move and Manchester United move.”
‘Based on two things. Firstly, something I’ve told you many times on this podcast this season is that Manchester United occasionally put on a performance.
‘They do. And secondly, I think something has to give with Liverpool. I think something has to give. They have been going game after game, with great performances, great performances, with understrength teams, with kids on the team, with kids coming off the bench. I just think something has to give. And I think this will be a step too far for them.
‘If, by the way, it’s the bigger picture, can the FA Cup save Eric ten Hag? And I say this because normally you would think that the FA Cup, a big trophy, is a good way to end the season if they could win it, especially if they have to beat Liverpool on the way. But history shows that Louis van Gaal won the FA Cup for Manchester United and was sacked the next day.
Ladyman claimed Sunday’s game “could be a step too far for Jurgen Klopp’s team”
Sutton added that he thought United had been “so far this season” with results.
‘Back when you and I were wearing shorts, Tommy Docherty won the FA Cup with a victory against Liverpool in 1977 and was sacked the following month. Can the FA Cup save Eric ten Hag?
“No, I don’t think that’s possible,” Sutton responded. “I mean, I might give him a little chance, but you can’t base it on what we’ve seen this season. You can’t say Manchester United have progressed. And it’s as simple as that.
‘Look at the season as a whole, the performance levels. I think they have been lucky with the amount of points they have gotten. Back to the game against Everton at the weekend. I thought they were lucky.
“Manchester United have shown themselves brave on numerous occasions this season. So while you may give him a small chance, I don’t think anything can save Eric ten Hag.