John Aldridge explains why Liverpool need to beat Manchester United

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Liverpool take on Manchester United in the Premier League on Monday night.

Former Liverpool striker John Aldridge has said in his Liverpool Echo column that the Reds have to put a stop to the run of league wins Manchester United have enjoyed over them in the past two seasons.

The two sides meet at Anfield on Monday night in a huge early season clash with the Reds currently three points ahead of their fierce rivals, but United have a good recent record in this fixture, having won each of the last four league meetings.

Liverpool got the better of them in their Europa League encounter last season – progressing 3-1 on aggregate – but Aldridge feels Liverpool need to get a league win on the board.

He told the Liverpool Echo: “In terms of the Premier League, we owe United one. They have done the double over us for the past two seasons and we have to put a stop to that.

“Those recent results in the league enabled United to finish above us in the table for the past two years but there’s no reason why he shouldn’t be looking down on them come May.

“It’s important that we do because United are going to be one of our contenders for a top-four spot.”

It may only be the eighth league game of the season, but Aldridge has certainly highlighted its importance in the context of the campaign as a whole.

Liverpool have made a pretty impressive start to the campaign and will look to open up a six-point cushion over their rivals. Jürgen Klopp’s side will be targeting Champions League qualification with a top-four finish at the very least and realise any edge of their rivals, even at this early stage of the season, could prove to be crucial come the conclusion of the campaign.

United will also be looking at this game as an opportunity to get a big win on the board against a very good side, but also to send a message to the league that they are a force to be reckoned with this season. There have been one or two difficult results, but Jose Mourinho will be keen to put one over a side that he has become very familiar with down the years.