The 122-year-old
rivalry between
Liverpool and
Manchester United
enters uncharted
territory on Thursday
when they meet at
Anfield for the first
leg of their Europa
League last 16 tie.
After 194 encounters
in domestic competitions, dating back to
1894, the fierce foes from England's
northwest are crossing swords on the
continental stage for the first time.
Both Liverpool and United would rather be
in the Champions League -- they have been
European champions five and three times
respectively -- but with neither team assured
of a top-four finish in the Premier League,
they may need to win the Europa League in
order to reclaim a place among the
continental elite.
United manager Louis van Gaal has
contested suggestions that both clubs are in
decline, telling journalists at Wednesday's
pre-game press conference: "You live in the
past."
"How many titles have Liverpool and how
many titles have Manchester United?" he
asked. "It was another time. You have to live
in the present.
"This happens in football. It's normal. It's not
normal that one team dominates for 20
years in a row as champions."
Currently sixth in the Premier League, United
have not yet given up hope of a top-four
finish, but Van Gaal will be conscious of how
damaging elimination at Liverpool's hands
could be.
The Dutchman has won all four of his
previous encounters with Liverpool,
including home and away wins in the
league this season, and his side appeared to
have turned a corner recently, winning four
games in a row.
But Sunday's 1-0 loss at West Bromwich
Albion cut them three points adrift of the
Champions League berths -- having played a
game more than fourth-place Manchester
City -- and thrust Van Gaal back into the
spotlight.
Liverpool are three points below United
with a game in hand after coming from
behind to win 2-1 at Crystal Palace, having
previously claimed a measure of revenge for
their penalty shootout loss to City in the
League Cup final with a rousing 3-0 win
over Manuel Pellegrini's men.
But whereas United also remain alive in the
FA Cup, ahead of a quarter-final clash with
West Ham United at Old Trafford on Sunday,
the Europa League represents Jurgen
Klopp's last chance to end his first season as
Liverpool manager with a trophy in his
hands.
'MOTHER OF ALL GAMES'
Klopp has described the encounter as "the
mother of all games".
"These games are easy, because they are so
big," said the German, who succeeded the
sacked Brendan Rodgers in October.
"You don't have to think about
concentration because you are absolutely
focused.
"It's big. I don't have to compare games. If
you work in (Borussia) Dortmund, as I did,
and you play against Schalke, it's not
possible to talk about anything else.
"It's similar here with this fixture. It's a really
big game. I hope it's not the biggest in my
Liverpool career, but it's very important."
United winger Jesse Lingard will miss
Thursday's game through suspension after
being booked in both legs of the 6-3
aggregate win over Danish side FC
Midtjylland in the previous round.
Wayne Rooney's continued absence with a
knee injury means that 18-year-old striker
Marcus Rashford, who shot to prominence
with a debut brace against Midtjylland in last
month's 5-1 second-leg win, stands to get
his first taste of the Anfield atmosphere.
Antonio Valencia could make his return
following a foot injury, but Ashley Young,
Luke Shaw, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Phil
Jones remain absent, while Adnan Januzaj is
cup-tied and Timothy Fosu-Mensah
ineligible.
Playmaker Philippe Coutinho and striker
Daniel Sturridge are expected to return to
Liverpool's starting XI after beginning the
victories over both City and Palace on the
bench.
Nathaniel Clyne will take over at right-back
from Jon Flanagan, who was not included in
Liverpool's Europa League squad, but
midfielder James Milner is doubtful after
being sent home from training due to
illness.