Lakshay Khurana
The biggest rivalry in the English football is to take place again in the Europa League. Manchester United and Liverpool are to go against one another in Europa League’s Round of 16. The first leg is to be kicked off on Thursday evening (20:05 GMT) in Anfield.
Van Gaal’s side is almost out of the race for the top four spot after a disappointing defeat to West Bromwich on Sunday. The team still has hope to win a cup and fight to play in the Champions League next season.
Dailey Blind in a recent interview was quoted saying, “We are still in the race for a trophy and the top four. We can finish strongly and I have a lot of faith in us doing that.”
United fans all over the world were left displeased after Sunday’s match as they expected the team to continue their winning streak.
Van Gaal and his men are prepared to take on the scousers to regain faith and fight for their spot. Manchester United have won both the matches against Liverpool this season in the Premier League.
Luis Garcia, who has won the Champions League and European Super Cup during his spell on Merseyside, has urged his former club to embrace the occasion against United in order to keep their hopes of reaching the final in Basel alive.
3 Key Battles
- Smalling vs Firmino
It will be exciting to see these two players go face to face on Thursday. Smalling, who has recently returned to the team after suffering from an injury, is all set to get back in his impressive consistent form which has been saved United from many blows this season. It will not be easy for him to defend against the Brazilian youngster who has a knack of finishing and dribbling past players inside the box. Roberto Firmino is the type of player who can determine the result of the match with his consistent attacking style of play.
