Meet at Old Trafford Sunday 

©TM/IMAGO

All eyes will be on Old Trafford this Sunday, as perhaps the Premier League’s most iconic fixture returns. Old rivals Manchester United and Liverpool will go head-to-head once more, with Arne Slot’s team three points behind Michael Carrick’s in the league table. Both teams are now pretty much guaranteed to finish in the top five and subsequently earn Champions League football next term. However, when we compare both club’s fortunes to last season’s, it’s a very different story.

Liverpool triumphantly won the Premier League in Slot’s first season in charge, amassing 83 points and blowing away all of their rivals. Yet, after breaking the record for the most money spent by a club in a single transfer window (€483 million spent on signings), and breaking the Premier League transfer record twice, the Reds title challenge has failed miserably. They are 24 points worse off than at this stage last term. Meanwhile, Man United finished a record low 15th last season with just 42 points. They are 22 points better off this time around. That’s almost a 50 point swing between the two clubs. So how did both teams head in different directions this campaign?

A tale of two summers

As aforementioned Liverpool splashed out €483m this summer. They did recoup €220m through player sales, but the money they spent has certainly not paid dividends thus far. Alexander Isak became the Premier League’s most expensive player at €145m, but has managed just four goals in 21 matches – albeit after having his season disrupted by a serious injury. Florian Wirtz cost €125m, and although there have been glimpses of his quality, he has largely struggled to adapt to the demands of English football. Hugo Ekitiké’s €95m move can deemed somewhat of a success, but both Milos Kerkez (€47m fee) and Jeremie Frimpong (€40m) have struggled. Despite the astronomical spend, there still appears to be huge holes in the Liverpool squad.

Meanwhile, Man United gambled on some Premier League experience, and it’s paying off. Bryan Mbeumo was brought in from Brentford for €75m and he’s scored nine league goals, although recent form has dipped. Matheus Cunha arrived from Wolves for €74m and has scored eight. The energy of those two has transformed United’s attack. The Red Devils also gambled €76m on raw striker Benjamin Sesko, who has already displayed signs that he could explode into a future superstar. The €21m signing of goalkeeper Senne Lammens has also proved to be an astute piece of business.

Man United’s turning of a corner

Man United’s decline since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013 hit it’s lowest ebb last season. Trophyless, most losses, lowest Premier League points total, lowest Premier League position. Many supporters had lost hope and didn’t recognise this Manchester United team. However, whilst they are still far off what they used to be, there have been some very positive steps this term. It feels like this could be the start of a process. Even under Rúben Amorim things had improved and they have then sky-rocketed since Carrick’s appointment in January.

Champions League football will return to Old Trafford next season. The team are also playing quicker football, whilst also acknowledging the need to be harder to play through. The fans feel connected to the club again. If Carrick is to be given the job full-time, he needs to be given time to properly build. There has been too much change in the dugout, and no matter who the next permanent boss is, they will need to be given both trust and time. United will also need to have another solid transfer window. Signing the right central midfielder will be key.

Liverpool’s Klopp fire burnt out?

What Slot achieved in his first season can’t be underplayed. To win the Premier League title in your first season in the competition is some feat. He received plaudits for taking away some of the gung-ho, gegenpressing, risky style of his predecessor Jürgen Klopp to make Liverpool more solid and streetwise. However, this term that has backfired, and at times they look a complete shadow of Klopp’s rampant reds. They have lacked both energy and ideas.