The Liverpool and Manchester United rivalry is one of the fiercest in English football.
Manchester United might not be where their fans want them to be, but they are still racking up the trophies.
That FA Cup final win over Manchester City was one to savour for many, including the under-fire Erik ten Hag, but it sure did paper over the cracks from the recently concluded Premier League season.
As for Liverpool, they begin a new chapter under Arne Slot next season after Jurgen Klopp’s departure and it has raised the question of who will stay and leave the club.
From the ice-cool Virgil van Dijk, the academy star Trent Alexander-Arnold to the goalscoring machine, Mohamed Salah.
All of their futures have come into question ahead of the change in faces at boardroom level and on the touchline.
In years gone by, not many players have repped the colours of Liverpool and Manchester United.
Paul Ince is one of very few who has treaded those waters.
But when the name of Alexander-Arnold came up, European football expert Gab Marcotti feels a move to Manchester United would be feasible and they could ‘use him’, just like Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, as he told ESPN.
Mark Ogden, who has covered the Old Trafford club for many years, made it clear that it would never happen and if Alexander-Arnold would leave, then it would be to a foreign club and not to another Premier League side because of his Liverpool connection.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Liverpool future
“I would assume, he would have a pretty good market out there, even with one year left, in the right system, I think there are a lot of clubs that would rate him,” said Marcotti
On Alexander-Arnold having a ‘limited market’: “You are just mentioning these foreign clubs,” added Marcotti. “Are you just taking it that there is no way Trent would go to another club in the Premier League? Because he is Liverpool-born and bred. Honestly, if I am looking at this, I think Manchester United could use him. I think Manchester City could use him. Arsenal could use him if you are going to play. All these clubs could use him.”
“I can’t remember the last time any player went from Liverpool to Manchester United,” responded Ogden. “Liverpool to Manchester City, no chance. Not with the rivalry that has built up and they have Kyle Walker. That was different (Sterling moving to the Etihad). He wasn’t born and bred in Liverpool. He doesn’t have the connection.”
Liverpool and Manchester United next season
The Reds will be returning to the Champions League after one season out, whilst it’s back to the Europa League for those in Manchester.
Liverpool know they will have a new manager in the dugout and it’s not going to be easy for Slot to settle in.
But could their rivals follow suit? There is a lot of talk around Erik ten Hag’s future and fans are waiting for the outcome.
Either way, there will be huge pressure on both clubs next season and they will be expected to, at the very least, secure Champions League football.
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