Football May 03, 2026

Man Utd vs Liverpool: Michael Carrick and Arne Slot on Premier League rivalry and league position ahead of Super Sunday showdown

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Man Utd vs Liverpool: Michael Carrick and Arne Slot on Premier League rivalry and league position ahead of Super Sunday showdown

Michael Carrick has called Manchester United's meetings with Liverpool some of his favourites, while Arne Slot says victory will be an 'important' step for the Reds towards Champions League qualification.

The pair meet at Old Trafford on Super Sunday (kick-off 3.30pm), with three points separating the sides in the top four.

It remains one of the biggest games and rivalries in the Premier League, and one that Carrick has plenty of experience playing in.

"It's certainly one of my favourite games. It's a standout game," the Man Utd head coach said in his pre-match press conference. "There's big games and big rivalries that we have with other teams, but this one is right up there.

"The history, the ups and downs the history has produced in these kinds of games and the excitement, entertainment and emotion, which is a huge part of it, makes it a really special game.

"It's the edge and the competition, irrespective of league positions over the years of who has been on top at certain times, it's never really changed the feeling of the game and the emotion of the supporters.

"It's a special game to be part of and to come out on top is the best feeling you can get."

Man Utd were 2-1 winners at Anfield in the reverse fixture in October under former boss Ruben Amorim. Man Utd have not won both Premier League matches against Liverpool since the 2015/16 season.

Last season Liverpool won 3-0 at Old Trafford, before a 2-2 draw at home.

Discussing how Carrick has improved Man Utd since taking over, Reds boss Slot said: "Last season when we played them, they were not in the same league position than they are now and I said that their players are better than their league position shows.

"Another transfer window adding a lot of players and that has resulted finally in that we see... We know that they are really good but now they are showing it in the league table.

"It might be a bit of an advantage that they only play once a week. When we have played them every time, I have seen how good they are and now they have, especially under Michael Carrick, become more consistent in their results."

Not that a match between Man Utd and Liverpool needs much more spice, but the two clubs are close in the Premier League table as they look to secure Champions League football next season.

Man Utd are third, followed by Liverpool, who are level on 58 points with Aston Villa in fifth and are ahead on goal difference. A win for the Reds this weekend is likely to confirm their spot in Europe's premier competition.

Slot said: "Every game you play, it has influence on your league position... We are aware of the fact that it is a very big game, not only because we play Man Utd but also to qualify for Champions League and to get the highest possible position in the league table.

"I wouldn't say it is a step forward, but it is the right step to make. We know how important it is to qualify for the Champions League.

"It is an important step. Is it a step forward? It is definitely not a step backwards, but it is an important step to make."

For Carrick's part, the effect any result might have on the Premier League table is not something he is thinking about too much, but says the potential to finish above Liverpool this season shows how far the team have come.

He said: "It shows the improvements of the group and getting stronger to be coming into this game in a good position on the back of some good results.

"We're fully aware of the situation in the league and how close it is between us, but that's not something we've focused on.

"It's a one-off game. They've got some good players and they won the league last year, and we respect everything that goes into the game.

"We're treating it as a one-off game and the league is what it is. Sunday is a whole different ball game.

"It's real privilege for us all to be involved in it... it's two incredible football clubs and to be so close together in so many ways, in terms of titles and geography, to have such an impact over such a time is so special."

Tags:

football news

Share this article

Related Posts

Leah Williamson: Arsenal and England defender signs new contract with Women's Super League club

Leah Williamson: Arsenal and England defender signs new contract with Women's Super League club

Leah Williamson has signed a new contract with Arsenal Women. The 29-year-old's season has been hampered by injury, missing the first half of the camp...

World Cup 2026 news and live updates - USA, Canada and Mexico build-up plus latest on Trump, tickets and fans

World Cup 2026 news and live updates - USA, Canada and Mexico build-up plus latest on Trump, tickets and fans

Neville names the FOUR priority signings for Man Utd this summerYour Site' Gary Neville says Man Utd must make FOUR key signings this summer to go to...

Shakhtar Donetsk 1-3 Crystal Palace: Oliver Glasner's side take commanding lead in  Europa Conference League semi-final

Shakhtar Donetsk 1-3 Crystal Palace: Oliver Glasner's side take commanding lead in Europa Conference League semi-final

Crystal Palace earned a 3-1 advantage to take back to south London in the first leg of their Europa Conference League semi-final against Shakhtar Done...

Nottingham Forest 1-0 Aston Villa: Chris Wood penalty gives Forest first-leg advantage over Villa in Europa League semi-final

Nottingham Forest 1-0 Aston Villa: Chris Wood penalty gives Forest first-leg advantage over Villa in Europa League semi-final

Chris Wood's penalty for Nottingham Forest gives them a 1-0 advantage over Aston Villa following the first leg of their Europa League semi-final – aft...

W7F: Women's World Sevens Football tournament is live on Sky Sports from Gtech Community Stadium on May 28-30

W7F: Women's World Sevens Football tournament is live on Sky Sports from Gtech Community Stadium on May 28-30

Your Site will be the exclusive UK broadcaster of the women's World Sevens Football (W7F) tournament at Brentford's Gtech Community Stadium from May 2...

Arsenal: Paul Merson says Mikel Arteta's side will win title if they beat Fulham as Jamie Carragher warns about 'banana skin'

Arsenal: Paul Merson says Mikel Arteta's side will win title if they beat Fulham as Jamie Carragher warns about 'banana skin'

Paul Merson says Arsenal will end their 22-year wait for another Premier League trophy if they beat Fulham - but Jamie Carragher has warned Marco Silv...