Liverpool manager Arne Slot says rivals Manchester United are a better team “than the league table shows” as the sides prepare to meet at Anfield on Sunday.
Slot’s first season in charge has been a revelation so far, with Liverpool six points clear at the top of the Premier League table.
United sacked Erik ten Hag in November and appointed Ruben Amorim – but have found life tough under the former Sporting boss.
A run of poor results has left United in 14th place – just seven points above the relegation zone and 23 behind Liverpool.
Slot says: “They have much better players than maybe the league table shows at the moment. It might take a while for Ruben Amorim to bring this out of the players but they are much better than the league table shows.
“We all know how much pressure this job brings. It is something we like.
“Like I said, he’s done so well at Sporting and I think he has a good squad of players so he will eventually bring the best out of them.”
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‘A great, great player’
As ever Slot was questioned about Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah, who are all out of contract at the end of the season.
Alexander-Arnold has again been linked with a move to Real Madrid this week while Slot was asked if Salah is the best player in the world at the moment.
Another @premierleague record broken 👑
Incredible, Mo 👏 pic.twitter.com/PrqB7GmyqI
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 2, 2025
The forward has been involved in 30 goals in the Premier League already this season and has scored more goals (12) and provided more assists (six) against United than anyone else in the Premier League.
“I think it’s difficult to compare players, ” Slot said.
“If I only look at my own team, Virgil [van Dijk] also has an outstanding season but he doesn’t have the numbers because he is a defender.
“The best players in the world have so many great attributes. Virgil has so much game intelligence.
“The numbers Mo has speaks for itself. If you simply look at the numbers and the way he’s playing, he’s definitely a great, great player.”
Team news
Slot confirmed that England defender Joe Gomez will be out for at least a few weeks with a hamstring injury but Conor Bradley and Ibrahima Konate have returned to training.
Konate and Bradley have both been out since November but would be welcome additions to the squad.
“They’ve worked hard to come back for the team. The next step is how they’ll handle team sessions,” Slot said.
