Man United v Liverpool: Pundits predict a victory for Solskjaer
That’s by Sky Sports pundit Danny Higginbotham, who thinks going straight for Liverpool’s throats would play into their hands.
United welcome their bitter rivals to Old Trafford in a mouthwatering clash in which the Red Devils will hope to put a serious dent in the Merseyside outfit’s Premier League title ambitions.
The Reds can move three points clear of Manchester City at the top of the table this weekend with a win in what is their game in hand over the defending champions, who will play in the Carabao Cup final later on Sunday against Chelsea.
With 11 games to go, Liverpool are right in the hunt for the title they have gone without since 1990 - but United will pose arguably the sternest test they will face between now and May 12.
Under Solskjaer, United have been back to their best and have won 11 of 13 matches across all competitions while utilising a far bolder and braver attacking brand of football than used by the Norwegian coach’s predecessor, Jose Mourinho.
Mourinho was sacked after United were comfortably beaten 3-1 by Liverpool at Anfield in December.
It is expected that Solskjaer’s side will put Liverpool under the cosh far more than they did on that evening, but Higginbotham - who came through United’s academy as a player - has advised the club legend to be cautious in his approach.
“They actually go into this game where they can actually sit back a little bit. The onus is 100 per-cent on Liverpool,” Higginbotham told The Debate on Sky Sports.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer should be more defensive vs Liverpool, believes Danny Higginbotham (Image: GETTY)
Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford both personify Solskjaer's attacking approach (Image: GETTY)
United, what they do now, they can sit off
Danny Higginbotham
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Asked if they will do that, the ex-Stoke defender added: “I think so because if you go toe-to-toe with Liverpool then you open yourself up.
“To do that, in my opinion, they are one of the best counter-attacking teams in Europe.
“They will love that. United, what they do now, they can sit off.
“When they went to Liverpool, it was really bad. Everyone talked about the possession but against Chelsea in the FA Cup they had less possession than they did at Liverpool.
“It’s just that they’re moving up the pitch better together so nobody was isolated.
Higginbotham thinks Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool want United to attack them (Image: GETTY)
Danny Higginbotham has urged United to be cautious against Liverpool's counter-attacking threat (Image: GETTY)
“I think they’re in a position to be able to do that.
“The game against Chelsea, it was less possession than they ever had under Mourinho.
“The units were moving forwards and backwards together, if the defence dropped back, Marcus Rashford dropped back.
“In my opinion I believe Liverpool have to win this game. I don’t think they can draw.
“I think United will think to themselves, ‘Liverpool have got to come out and attack us, can we make them really vulnerable? Can we set traps for them and make them their most vulnerable when they’re attacking themselves?’”