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BIG LIVERPOOL TEST: ARNE SLOT EXPLAINS HOW TO BEAT MAN UTD

Ex-Man Utd defender Danny Simpson warns Liverpool are a "wounded animal" ahead of Sunday's clash. He advises United to survive Anfield's early onslaught to unsettle the Reds, who have lost three straight games.

Big Liverpool Test: Arne Slot Explains How to Beat Man Utd
Creator: Andrew Powell | Credit: Liverpool FC via Getty Images

Before Liverpool's pivotal match against Manchester United this Sunday, Danny Simpson has given the players some advice.

When the Reds host their bitter foe at Anfield, the legendary match is expected to return with a bang. However, after losing their last three games, Arne Slot's team is currently having trouble staying in shape. The defending Premier League champion Liverpool lost to Galatasaray 1-0 in the Champions League after suffering a late 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace in September.

Before the international break, Slot's team suffered yet another 2-1 loss to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, which only put them one point behind Mikel Arteta's Arsenal in the league standings.

However, despite a patchy record under Ruben Amorim, United enters the game fresh off a 2-0 victory over recently promoted Sunderland.

Simpson described how Liverpool can resume their winning ways against United in an interview with the Manchester Evening News via MightyTips. "There are two ways of looking at that," the former Red Devils player said.

"They are all away from home for a start, but they are not used to losing three games. Any time you face Chelsea, Palace, or Galatasaray, it feels really difficult, in my opinion.

"Is it time to attack and force them to lose four games now that they have received a little respite? Or will they become enraged and fight because they are back at home, and the crowd will be even louder because it is Man United?

"So, United did win against Sunderland, but, with all due respect, Sunderland won at home. If I were a United player, I would think that this would be a fantastic opportunity to start the game well, in fact, to get the players and supporters anxious.

"The opening twenty minutes, in my opinion, will be crucial. I have performed a lot at Anfield, and after the first ten or fifteen minutes, they may make you anxious.

"Getting better is difficult, particularly if you lose 1-0. It would be extremely tense for Liverpool if United could simply weather that storm at ten minutes, perhaps generate a few chances, and then score a goal."

Simpson also noted that players returning to club duty may face challenges as a result of the recent international break, especially if they suffer injuries while playing for the national team.

"The international break is difficult as well because we do not know what condition the players will be returning in, and the manager does not know until maybe tomorrow or Thursday," the 38-year-old continued. Thus, it is always challenging following the international break.

Liverpool's roster is thin going into their match against United at home because of recent injuries. While Ibrahima Konate, Ryan Gravenberch, and Wataru Endo are still doubtful, players like Alisson and Giovanni Leoni have been ruled out entirely.

However, United also has to deal with its own injury problems. It is unclear if Ayden Heaven and Noussair Mazroui will be healthy enough to return, while Lisandro Martinez is not anticipated to be fit again until November.

WHY DID JEREMY JACQUET SNUB CHELSEA FOR LIVERPOOL? THE SECRET VIRGIL CONNECTION

Liverpool secure Jeremy Jacquet in a £60m Deadline Day coup. The 20-year-old chose Anfield over Chelsea for a summer move.

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Liverpool scouted Jeremy Jacquet in secret before the huge £60m bid

Liverpool turned heads on Transfer Deadline Day when Arne Slot jumped into the mix and snapped up one of Europe’s brightest young talents.

The Reds dropped £55 million up front—plus another potential £5 million in add-ons—to bring in Jeremy Jacquet. He’ll link up with his new teammates this summer. Chelsea hovered around the deal too, but Jacquet chose Liverpool over the Blues.

French football pundit Julian Laurens isn’t shy about his excitement. He told Sky Sports, “He’s the real deal. Sure, he’s only 20. He hasn’t played for France yet, and you won’t find him in the Champions League or Europa League. But he’s already shown so much. Last season, Rennes brought him back from a second division loan, and this year, playing under Habib Beye, he’s just kept improving. You can’t miss with this kid. He’s going to be special.

“He reminds me of when William Saliba broke through at Saint-Etienne, or even Wesley Fofana. The point is, if you really value untapped talent, you’re willing to pay big. And Liverpool just did—because Jacquet’s that promising.”

Jacquet grew up in Bondy, the same Paris suburb that produced Kylian Mbappe, William Saliba, and Randal Kolo Muani. It’s up in Seine-Saint-Denis, northeast of central Paris.

His football education, though, happened at Rennes out in Brittany. He came up through their academy, playing alongside guys like Desire Doue—who won the Champions League with PSG—and Tottenham’s Mathys Tel.

Back then, Jacquet idolised Paul Pogba, but once they moved him to centre-back, he started looking up to Virgil van Dijk.

He made his first-team debut for Rennes in January 2024, then went on loan to Clermont Foot 63, who were fighting relegation in Ligue 1. Even after they went down, Rennes kept him out on loan because he did so well with the French U19 squad.

But in February 2025, Rennes called him back, and he’s been a regular for Habib Beye ever since.

Asked about his playing style, Jacquet said, “I’m calm on the ball—maybe I look a little nonchalant, but I’m always focused. What makes me stand out is playing out from the back and breaking lines with the right pass.”

JEREMY JACQUET UPDATE: FABRIZIO ROMANO CONFIRMS LIVERPOOL INTEREST BUT RENNES DEMAND CLUB-RECORD FEE

Liverpool is battling Chelsea and Bayern Munich for Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet as Arne Slot faces a mounting injury crisis.

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Liverpool is in advanced talks for Jeremy Jacquet, but Rennes hold out for the summer

Liverpool really wants to sign Jeremy Jacquet this month, but with Chelsea, Man United, and Arsenal also circling, it looks like they’ll have to wait until summer.

They just locked in a spot in the Champions League last 16 after cruising past Qarabag FK, so things are looking good on that front. This season, they’ve already faced a couple of those big clubs—snatching a last-gasp win over Atletico thanks to Van Dijk’s 92nd-minute header, but coming up short with a 1-0 loss to Galatasaray in Turkey.

On Wednesday, Ryan Gravenberch ended up playing centre-back because Joe Gomez is out injured, and Ibrahima Konate is still away after his father passed away. They're really stretched at the back, especially with Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni both dealing with long-term injuries. The club decided not to go after Marc Guehi this month, which let Manchester City snap him up for under £30 million.

Now, Liverpool is eyeing Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet. L’Equipe reported in January that Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Man United, Arsenal, and Liverpool all want him. Fabrizio Romano gave an update, saying Liverpool would love to get the deal done now, but Rennes just don’t want to sell until summer. So, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Bayern are all talking to Rennes and Jacquet’s people, but for now, it’s a waiting game.

With all these injuries piling up, people are wondering if Liverpool might try to bring in someone before the window closes. Arne Slot responded, saying the club always tries to make smart decisions, thinking about both the short and long term. That’s why they focus on signing young talent who can still develop—sometimes you just have to be patient and trust the process.

He pointed out that Liverpool doesn’t have a massive squad packed with four right-backs, a dozen midfielders, or a handful of strikers. They need to be clever about their moves, balancing immediate needs with future plans.

As for the latest on injuries, Slot said they’ll see how Jeremie Frimpong is doing—maybe he won’t be fit for Saturday, but he could be ready soon after. With just one game a week coming up, injuries should ease up a bit, but you never know with football.

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