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Liverpool travel to Old Trafford on Sunday for an all-important Premier League clash with bitter rivals Manchester United. Victory will see the Reds pull clear at the top of the table, with Manchester City engaged in Carabao Cup action elsewhere.

Defeat, however, would dent the Anfield club’s title hopes and could turn the tide of the battle in the favour of the reigning champions. Whatever the outcome, the psychological impact of the result of Sunday’s match could be season-defining for Liverpool.

With the stakes so high, Jurgen Klopp will be desperate for victory. Success will not come easily though. The Red Devils have been in fine form since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s appointment. The Norwegian coach has revitalised the club, as evidenced by the seismic improvement in star man Paul Pogba’s form.

Watch how to cross the road like a boss with freestyler Ben Nuttall in the video below…

If Liverpool are to stand any chance of victory on Sunday, then Klopp must find a way to stop the 25-year-old midfielder. Football FanCast outline three suggestions below…

Man-marking him

The obvious solution is to try and take the Frenchman out of the game by tasking one man with the job of marking and tracking him relentlessly throughout the 90 minutes. Either Fabinho or Jordan Henderson would be well-suited to this task. The Brazilian would certainly be a physical match for Pogba. 

By tasking Fabinho with restricting Pogba, the French midfielder may find his ability to find space and influence the game limited. This could lead to him getting frustrated – he was sent off against PSG last week – or even taken off by Solskjaer in order to try a different approach.

Cutting off the supply lines

An alternative, but potentially equally effective, method of restricting Pogba’s ability to assert his control is by cutting off the supply lines to the 64-cap France international. Solskjaer’s side know that the World Cup winner is their key man, so they naturally try to get him on the ball as often as possible. Pogba’s midfield partners, such as Ander Herrera and Nemanja Matic, will constantly be looking for the former Juventus man.

However, Liverpool can make picking out Pogba an arduous task. By closing down and harrying the man on the ball, and cutting off passing lanes to Pogba, Liverpool can force the United players to have to find an alternative option to giving the ball to the 6’3” midfielder.

Structurally, that could come in the form of, simply, three flat central midfielders who position themselves between Herrera, Matic and the space between the lines that Pogba likes to occupy.

Crowding him out

A more industrial approach to stopping Pogba would be to use raw physicality to impede him. This doesn’t just mean cynical, tactical fouling – though, that’s certainly a part of it – but by crowding the Frenchman out, consistently jostling him, and generally never giving him an inch to establish command over the midfielder.

However, this is a risky strategy. If executed clumsily it can lead to cards being shown and dangerous set piece situations being conceded. There’s also a danger of Pogba beating the press, which will inevitably leave gaps throughout the rest of the team.

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BBC pundit Mark Lawrenson has suggested in his latest set of Premier League predictions that Liverpool attacker Xherdan Shaqiri can make the difference against Watford on Wednesday night, but the Switzerland international’s recent form doesn’t suggest that is the case.

What’s the word, then?

Well, the former Reds legend has been having his say on the club’s upcoming midweek top-flight fixture with the Hornets at Anfield – which incidentally he feels will end in a 2-0 win for the hosts – and he is questioning whether Jurgen Klopp could switch formations.

The Merseyside outfit certainly struggled with the 4-3-3 system in the goalless draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday, looking pretty toothless in attack both before and after Roberto Firmino’s being taken off through injury.

The latest update from the German manager suggests the Brazil international has an outside chance to face Javi Gracia’s men but is more likely to be saved for Everton on Sunday, which may already put Lawrenson’s idea to bed.

The 61-year-old said: “I just wonder whether Reds boss Jurgen Klopp might change things here, and go with the 4-2-3-1 that he has used quite a bit recently.

“That way, Xherdan Shaqiri comes in, Roberto Firmino drops deeper into the number 10 position and Salah goes through the middle as the centre-forward, rather than out wide.

“Shaqiri could be the player who gives Liverpool the boost they need, because he makes thing happen.”

Is he right about Shaqiri?

Not really, no.

In truth it is a bit of an ill-informed claim to say that the summer addition from Stoke City can be the difference and the one to make things happen, given he has failed to score or assist in his previous seven top-flight outings for the Reds.

Check out the video below for fan reaction to Man Utd 0-0 Liverpool…

Yes, he can be creative and you could argue that he didn’t have a consistent chance in those aforementioned fixtures when he was a substitute, but he did also start four of the games and ultimately produced very little.

Klopp and Liverpool certainly can’t afford to rely on the 27-year-old as they hunt down their first-ever Premier League title.

Harry Kane might’ve become Spurs’ all-time European scorer on Tuesday night as Tottenham valiantly stood against the relentless yellow tide of Borussia Dortmund but he wasn’t the man who stuck out in our eyes.

The onus to attack was quite visible on the hosts who had to overturn a deficit of three goals having been embarrassed on Tottenham’s turf two weeks ago and they certainly looked the most likely in the opening exchanges dominating 70 per cent of possession.

Marco Reus missed an excellent opportunity to open the scoring for the hosts, having been denied by a valiant challenge from Jan Vertonghen the German managed to release a shot forcing Hugo Lloris into a save.

Spurs had an opportunity of their own to close things off early on when Son was released into a one-on-one, but the forward failed to make the chance pay.

Lloris was called back into action soon after, first stopping Julian Weigl’s headed off the line, before preventing World Cup hero Mario Gotze’s placed effort from inside the area.

There is a reason Harry Kane is Spurs’ all-time top European scorer and he showed that a few minutes into the second-half, latching onto engine-turned-playmaker Sissoko’s through ball to finish delightfully around Roman Burki.

Lloris would provide one more class save before time, saving low to prevent Spanish marksman Paco Alcacer from scoring Dortmund’s only goal of the tie.

For his heroics, Huge Lloris was quite rightly rewarded Man of the Match, but we think Moussa Sissoko deserves extra credit.

The former bumbling midfielder has come on leaps and bounds this season and has really stepped up when it matters.

Of course, his technical shortcomings are there for all to see, but he has really focused on his strongest assets to compensate and that was evident on Tuesday night.

He was tireless in midfield, shielded his defence well and provided a rare assist for Harry Kane.

Really turned a corner.

Tottenham fans, who do you think deserves the most credit if not Moussa Sissoko?

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Tottenham Hotspur fans have been going into a meltdown on Twitter, as their club heads to Spain for a warm-weather training camp.

Many Spurs supporters learnt of what many of them are branding as a “holiday” less than two days after the shock Premier League defeat to Southampton on Saturday afternoon, one that left them 13 points off league leaders Manchester City and effectively ended their title challenge.

Clearly some fans are visibly aggrieved at the players getting some time away to train in better weather conditions – perhaps due to what happened after the last time Spurs went away on a warm-weather training camp, prior to the loss to Burnley.

Since then, Tottenham have gone winless in four league games, losing three and drawing one, leading many supporters to lose faith in the art of the training camp.

However, given that warm-weather training is such a huge part of the modern game with some clubs taking several trips every year and proving its effectiveness, some of the opinions from Spurs fans after the club confirmed the players arriving in Spain on Twitter are nothing short of ridiculous.

Check them out below…

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Raul Jimenez has been a revelation for Wolves this season and his goal against Chelsea on Sunday only reaffirmed to supporters of Nuno Santo’s team just how much of an instant hit he has become.

Jimenez is currently on loan at the club, having joined from Benfica in the summer, but Wolves could make the deal permanent in an apparent €41m deal, according to AS.

If the deal went through it would make him the most expensive Benfica sale in history, eclipsing what Manchester City paid for goalkeeper Ederson, and Wolves’ new club-record signing.

Wolves fans are keen for their club to make the deal permanent whatever the fee and although the reported price would be a large sum to pay, his contribution to the team this season has been vital in the West Midlands side’s instant adjustment to Premier League life.

The Mexican’s goal at the weekend was his 12th this term and saw him overtake Steven Fletcher’s previous Premier League goals record for Wolves of 11 in a season.

It isn’t just his goals that have Wolves fans craving a permanent transfer for Jimenez. His overall contribution to the team has also been outstanding, claiming six Premier League assists to date too.

His performances so far in a Wolves shirt have made supporters think he’d be a bargain and an absolute must transfer. Here’s what they’ve had to say.

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Aston Villa attacker Keinan Davis made his first Championship appearance of the season in his team’s 3-0 win over Middlesbrough on Saturday afternoon.

Ahead of the weekend, Davis’ only first-team football this season arrived when he was handed 18 minutes against Swansea City in the third round of the FA Cup back in January.

It has been a frustrating campaign due to injury, but the 21-year-old now seems ready to play his part for Dean Smith’s side between now and the end of the season.

Davis has played on 38 occasions for Villa’s first team – scoring three times – and is not exactly a newbie, but the team have been unable to call upon his services for the majority of this campaign.

The Villa fans are certainly excited to have the attacker back in action, however, with many taking to social media to reveal their views on the former England Under-20 international.

A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:

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Republic of Ireland youngster Ryan Burke has been offered a two-year contract by Birmingham City.

The news was confirmed on Wednesday, with Burke being one of the youngsters to be offered a professional deal by the Championship outfit.

Burke, 18, arrived at Birmingham from St. Pats in July 2017 and the club’s official website has called the defender ‘a mainstay of the Development Squad’.

Goalkeeper Zach Jeacock and midfielder Caolan Boyd-Munce are also amongst those to be offered professional deals by the Blues.

Burke took to social media on Wednesday to reveal his delight and that led to a number of the Birmingham supporters hailing the teenager.

Who are the best away fans in the Championship? Pl>ymaker FC’s Thogden gives his top 10 in the video below…

The first team might be going through a tough period, but the Blues are looking ahead and Burke will be hopeful of featuring for Garry Monk’s side over the next 12 months or so.

A selection of the Twitter reaction to the contract news can be seen below:

2001 proved to be a pivotal year in the history of Leeds United.

The Whites’ progression to the Champions League semi-final saw them move within two games of their first major European final in 26 years, creating an ultimatum for manager David O’Leary. With his side fighting for a top three position in the Premier League, he had to make a decision on what to prioritise towards the end of the season.

Whereas Leeds had already won three top-flight titles in England, they had never triumphed on a continental level in arguably the biggest knock-out competition for clubs in the world. Therefore, O’Leary understandably made the Champions League the Whites’ preference with La Liga side Valencia standing between them and a showdown with Bayern Munich.

A moment in time – Leeds United vs Valencia, 2001

The first leg between the two sides ended as a stalemate at Elland Road, leaving it all to play for at the Mestalla. Leeds’ preparation for the tie was hampered by a 2-1 defeat to Arsenal in the Premier League, a result which would have significant consequences at the end of the season.

Despite this domestic setback, the Whites would have been quietly confident of producing a famous performance in Valencia considering the fact they boasted a side that included the likes of Rio Ferdinand, Alan Smith and Mark Viduka. However, it turned out to be a disastrous 90 minutes which led to heartbreak for the club’s supporters.

Second best in all areas to their Spanish opponents on the night, Leeds fell behind after just 15 minutes in controversial circumstances as Juan Sanchez appeared to deliberately bundle the ball past Nigel Martyn using his arm. The forward then doubled his side’s lead with a superb strike from 25 yards before Gaizka Mendieta added a third to secure Valencia’s progress to what was their second consecutive Champions League final.

O’Leary’s side’s disappointing end to the season was compounded by a failure to qualify for the competition as Liverpool pipped them to a third-placed finish on the final day of the season. In hindsight, it could be argued that by losing to Valencia, Leeds missed out on becoming a powerhouse in English football.

Financial ruin instead followed for the Whites which culminated in the club being relegated from the Premier League in 2004 and to League One three years later. Although Marcelo Bielsa could be on the verge of bringing them back to the top flight this season, it would require a miracle for Leeds to get back to the position they found themselves in 2001 – on the verge of European glory.

Liverpool fans will be praying that Manchester City drop points tonight as the Reds will lose top spot if Pep Guardiola’s side secure all three against Cardiff City. 

Jurgen Klopp won’t be too bothered about City’s result as he’ll know that it’s down to his side to constantly pile the pressure on by grinding out positive results of their own.

However, the German is set to make a huge decision at the end of the season, as according to Football Insider, Klopp is set to decide whether to reintegrate Marko Grujic into the senior squad or to give the green light to sell him.

And, one player who could be on his way out of Anfield at the end of the season is James Milner as his contract is set to run out at the end of the season and he hasn’t exactly been at his best recently. So, Klopp should think about bringing Grujic into the side as a ready-made replacement for the Englishman in the summer.

The Serbian has spent this season out on loan at German side Hertha Berlin and it’s safe to say he’s made a name for himself, producing three goals and one assist. His passing game has come on leaps and bounds, as well as the defensive side of things as he continues to develop into a well-rounded central midfielder.

Grujic may not have produced a large amount of goals and assists but he’s certainly done enough to warrant a place in the first-team ranks at Liverpool with his overall performances. Of course, securing £20 million-plus for him in the summer transfer window would be great for the club, but he could easily become a star at Anfield.

Liverpool fans, do you think Grujic is good enough to replace James Milner? Join the discussion by commenting down below! 

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According to the Telegraph, Ander Herrera has reportedly demanded a contract in excess of £200,000-a-week to stay at Manchester United, amid interest from Paris Saint-Germain – the midfielder’s current deal expires in the summer.

What’s the word, then?

Well, the Spaniard will be available on a free transfer unless the Red Devils can agree terms with him over a new deal, although they will reportedly not be held to ransom by the 29-year-old after he requested such a huge wage.

Herrera has enjoyed somewhat of a renaissance at Old Trafford since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer replaced Jose Mourinho in the dugout, emerging as one of United’s key players since the start of 2019.

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However, whilst United want the former Athletic Bilbao man to stay and are said to have offered him a substantial increase on his current earnings of £80,000-a-week, Herrera has demanded a salary that would catapult him amongst the club’s top earners.

Alexis Sanchez’s wages cause more issues

It has previously been reported that Sanchez’s alleged earnings of £500,000-a-week have completely shattered the wage structure at Old Trafford, with the Chileans’s salary making it extremely difficult to negotiate a new deal with David de Gea – the Spanish keeper is said to be demanding double his current deal of £240,000-a-week.

Whilst that will worry United – the 28-year-old is one of the most important players at the club – the fact that Herrera is now demanding such a huge salary to stay at the club proves that Sanchez’s ludicrous earnings are having a detrimental effect on the squad.

Solskjaer will obviously have a number of issues to clean up in the summer having recently been appointed on a permanent basis, most notably finding a right-winger and potentially another centre-back.

However, the situation involving Sanchez and the evident knock-on effect this is having on other members of the squad, who feel they should be earning closer to the former Arsenal man’s earnings, may well be the determining factor on whether or not the Norwegian will be a success in Manchester.

As we can see, players are requesting salaries that do not befit their quality or importance to the team, as, whilst Herrera and De Gea are key players, they definitely should not be earning, nor are they worth, figures in excess of £200,000-a-week and £480,000-a-week.

The sooner the peripheral figure of Sanchez leaves the better, or the highest earning player at the club will continue to plague morale around the place and cause players to request absurd sums.