Wijnaldum: We'll be facing a different United side
Georginio Wijnaldum is expecting to come up against a much changed Manchester United from the side they defeated earlier in the season when Liverpool travel to Old Trafford on Sunday.
The Reds ran out 3-1 winners over their old rivals at Anfield back in December, with Xherdan Shaqiri coming off the bench to strike twice after Sadio Mane’s opener had been cancelled out by Jesse Lingard.
United have since installed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as caretaker manager – and the club legend has overseen a vast upturn in their form, remaining unbeaten in the Premier League since his appointment to move into the top four.
It’s a statistic Liverpool will need to bring to an end if they’re to go three points clear at the top of the table this weekend – but Wijnaldum is aware it’ll be a difficult challenge.
“I think it is going to be a real big change [from the game in December],” the No.5 predicted, speaking to reporters.
“Since the new manager came in there is a new flow, they played good games and have won a lot and that is building confidence in the team.
“It's also a home game for them so they will have a lot of confidence as they don't have the problems they had before.
“It is going to be a difficult game but I'm looking forward to it. I think for them we come at a good moment but we're also doing well so it is going to be a nice game to watch.”
United recorded a 2-0 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Monday evening to move into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.
24 hours later, Liverpool played out a 0-0 Anfield draw with Bayern Munich in the first leg of the Champions League last-16 tie.
The Reds will renew rivalries with the reigning Bundesliga championship in Germany in three weeks’ time and Wijnaldum remains confident about their chances of progression.
“Why is it a better result for them? I think it is a good result for both," he said.
"The only thing is if we go there and score a goal they have to score two. One of the advantages is that they will play at home. I think a lot of teams when they come to Anfield and they play a draw they think it is a good result.
"I don't think it is a bad result for them but neither is it for us. They have good players, we have good players. It was nice to watch but unfortunately no players scored. Hopefully next time we will.
"I don't think they will play really open in the second leg because they know we are good on the counter-attack but they also know we score goals with good football and create chances. It's difficult to say how the game is going to go but it is going to be a tough one, that's for sure."