Kenny makes interesting prediction on Liverpool v Manchester United tactics

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Club legend Kenny Dalglish reckons while Jurgen Klopp will be playing for the win on Saturday, Manchester United’s Jose Mourinho is likely to use the defensive tactics he so often does against big sides.

Mourinho invented the term ‘parking the bus’ for teams who leave all their players behind the ball, but in truth, his players are consistent exponents of the style around ten times per season.

It’s worked for him over the years in fairness, most notably for Chelsea and Inter Milan against Barcelona in the Champions League, but this term, United have been steamrollering Premier League opponents.

Against us though, Dalglish is convinced he’ll play it safe and abandon the free-flowing football that has characterised their start to the campaign.

He told Mirror Sport: “I’m sure he will be cautious again because this is United’s first game against one of the so-called top six.

“With respect to other Premier League teams, these are the games that might decide who lifts the trophy in May.

“Mourinho has a knack of knowing how to win games, and if he thinks his best chance is to shut up shop, he’s entitled to do that – but for us, Jurgen Klopp will be the complete opposite.

“He’s not interested in a draw, he only wants a victory.”

In the same fixture last season, Mourinho’s United were unbelievably negative and it made for a rather drab game, if truth be told.

As a result, it would be terrific if Liverpool scored an early goal – forcing United into some kind of response.

Providing our defence plays well (which is not automatic, of course), an open game will suit Klopp’s Reds.

With Sadio Mane out, we’re likely to field a front-three of Coutinho, Roberto Firmino and Mo Salah, players who should be capable of breaking down United’s stubborn defence and creating chances.

However, it’s up to Liverpool’s stars to finish the opportunities we’ve been missing since August.

United have conceded just two Premier League goals all season, so it’s vital that the names we’ve just mentioned are clinical in front of goal.

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