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.
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 and appointed Ruben Amorim in November – but life under the former Sporting boss has been tough.
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 the league table shows at the moment. It may take some time for Ruben Amorim to coax it out of the players, but they are much better than the league table suggests.
“We all know how much pressure this job carries. It’s something we love.
“Like I said, he was so good at Sporting and I think he’s got a good squad of players so he’ll get the best out of them in the end.”
‘Great, great player’
As always, Slot was quizzed about 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 Slott was asked if Salah is the best player in the world at the moment.
More @premijerliga broken 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,” Slott said.
“If I just look at my team, Virgil [van Dijk] he is also having an outstanding season but doesn’t have the numbers because he is a defenseman.
“The best players in the world have so many great attributes. Virgil has so much game intelligence.
“Mo’s numbers speak for themselves. If you just look at the numbers and the way he plays, 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 Konata have returned to training.
Konate and Bradley have been out since November but would be welcome additions to the squad.
“They worked hard to get back into the team. The next step is how they will conduct the team sessions,” said Slot.
