Alex Ferguson Liverpool ‘worry’ that Manchester United must stop before it becomes true again

Manchester United face an unenviable clash against high-flying Liverpool on Tuesday evening - and will be eager to put a dent in their hopes of recapturing the Premier League title.

The Red Devils enjoyed years of dominance over their Mersey rivals in the top flight, but have only been able to watch on helplessly as Jurgen Klopp has rejuvenated a previously ailing Anfield project in recent campaigns.

And with Liverpool still in with a shout of securing a historic quadruple this season, United will be keen to scupper their celebrations if possible.

If there were any lingering doubts about how much the Red Devils would like to derail Klopp’s silverware juggernaut, Sir Alex Ferguson’s assessment of the German’s arrival in England - and what it meant for the shifting power dynamics of the Premier League’s upper echelons - should dispel them.

Speaking back in 2016, the Scot heaped praise on the ex-Borussia Dortmund chief, as well as outlining his major concern for United.

He said: “He [Klopp] has done a really good job and revived Liverpool’s enthusiasm.

“It can happen that big clubs lose it. For two decades, Liverpool changed managers without building their own identity.

“You can now well and truly sense that you have to count them in this year. You can see Klopp’s dedication on the sideline, I’m convinced his work in training is similar.

“He’s a strong personality. That’s absolutely vital at a big club. I’m worried about him because the one thing United don’t want is Liverpool to get above us.”

Last season, United finished above Liverpool for the first time since 2017/18, but this term has been a wholly different affair.

Klopp’s men are currently 19 points ahead of the Red Devils in the table, and the last meeting between the two sides finished in a 5-0 humiliation for United at Old Trafford.