Liverpool manager Arne Slott says Manchester United are a better team “than the league table shows” as the sides prepare to meet at Anfield on Sunday.
Slott’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 life has been difficult for him 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’ve got a lot better players than the league table might show at the moment. It may take some time for Ruben Amorim to bring it out of the players, but they are much better than the league table suggests.
“We all know how much pressure this job brings. It’s something we like.
“Like I said, he’s done so well at Sporting and I think he’s got a good group of players, so eventually he’ll get the best out of them.”
“A great, great player”
As always, Slot was contested for Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah, who are out of contract at the end of the season.
Alexander-Arnold has been linked with a move to Real Madrid again this week, while Slot was asked if Salah is the best player in the world right now.
Other @premierleague broke a record 👑
Amazing, Mo 👏 pic.twitter.com/PrqB7GmyqI
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 2, 2025
The forward has been involved in 30 Premier League goals 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 hard to compare players,” Slot said.
“If I just look at my own team, Virgil (van Dijk) is also having a great season but he doesn’t have the numbers because he is a defender.
“The best players in the world have so many great qualities. Virgil has so much game intelligence.
“Mo’s numbers speak for themselves. If you just look at the numbers and the way he’s playing, he’s definitely a great, great player.”
Team news
Slott confirmed that England defender Joe Gomez will be out for at least a couple of weeks with a hamstring injury, but Conor Bradley and Ibrahima Konate are back in training.
Konate and Bradley are both out in November but would be welcome additions to the squad.
“They have worked hard to come back for the team. The next step is how they handle the team sessions,” Slot said.
