Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold expects a ‘difficult’ time defending Marcus Rashford when Manchester United visit Anfield. But the defender is looking forward to their contest.
The Red Devils travel to Merseyside on Sunday to face the Reds in the Premier League. Erik ten Hag’s team beat Jurgen Klopp’s side 2-1 at Old Trafford back in August. Jadon Sancho (16’) and Rashford (53’) forged a lead that Mohamed Salah’s (81’) reply could not overturn.
Rashford started the affair as a striker and led Manchester United’s attack during the early stages of the season. But Ten Hag returned the 25-year-old to his more natural role on the wings in October. He has since struck an incredibly rich vein of form on the left-hand flank.
Liverpool host Manchester United this weekend with Rashford boasting 10 goals across 10 Premier League games since the World Cup. Only Crystal Palace have prevented him from adding to that tally, too. He also scored twice against Leicester City as a striker last Sunday.
Rashford had scored four goals through his first 14 top-flight appearances this term thanks partly to a brace against Arsenal. Yet the 51-cap England dynamo has been sensational for Ten Hag since helping the Three Lions reach the World Cup quarter-finals with three goals.
Liverpool’s Alexander-Arnold looks forward to facing Manchester United’s Rashford
Manchester United will now hope Liverpool and, more precisely, Alexander-Arnold cannot stop Rashford from excelling on Sunday. The match will be his 15th against the Reds across all competitions so far. He has won three, drawn six and lost five fixtures against Liverpool.
Rashford has also scored six goals and assisted another against the Anfield outfit, with five in 11 Premier League meetings. Alexander-Arnold has sought to stop Rashford from hitting the back of Liverpool’s goal in eight of the Manchester United star’s clashes with the Reds.
While Rashford got the better of Alexander-Arnold in their last meeting, the Liverpool star is relishing a chance to go toe-to-toe with the Manchester United ace again on Sunday. But he knows Ten Hag has more than just the one weapon and Klopp has more than one defender.
Alexander-Arnold has told Sky Sports: “The only thing that’s really changed is he’s probably scored a lot more recently. But he’s the same player. He’s always a threat, and I’m sure he will be a threat on Sunday.
“It will be a tough game but it’s one I’m looking forward to, and it will be a good test. It’s difficult [to stop Rashford]. He’s a player who’s got a lot of weapons in his arsenal. But I think it’s more of a team effort, it won’t be just a one-on-one thing.
“They’ll have more than just Marcus going forward. It’s a team thing and as long as the team wins on Sunday, that’s all I’m bothered about.”
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