Jurgen Klopp says it will ‘obviously’ make ‘a difference’ if these two United players start vs Liverpool

Jurgen Klopp has briefly assessed the options of Manchester United ahead of Liverpool’s trip to Old Trafford on Sunday.

The two longtime rivals lock horns for the first of two meetings in the space of three weeks. This time out, a spot in the semi-finals of the FA Cup is up for grabs. 

United booked their place in the quarters through a hard-earned win away to Nottingham Forest, with Casemiro’s 89th-minute header saving Erik ten Hag and his depleted squad the chore of going to extra time and potentially penalties. 

It came sandwiched between two deflating losses; the Reds lost 2-1 to Fulham and followed it up with a dismal 3-1 derby defeat at the hands of Manchester City. Amends were made slightly when they overturned Everton 2-0 last Saturday.

Ten Hag has been granted a triple fitness boost in the form of Rasmus Hojlund, Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan-Bissaka returning to the fold, with all three expected to make the starting 11 in what will come as an enormous relief to the United faithful. 

Prior to his setback, Hojlund was on a run of seven goals in six straight Premier League matches, so there are hopes that he can pick up where he left off on his red-hot run of form.

Klopp on United’s returnees

Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Friday, Klopp previewed the high-stakes clash, saying (via Liverpool Echo): “I don’t know much about their season but I saw some good games, a lot of quality and injury problems. Maybe Hojlund is available again? Wan-Bissaka is close. That obviously makes a difference, we will see on Sunday. 

“It was always a tough place to go, it means everything to both fan groups, we know that. We try to show that on the pitch with the work rate but we never know.”