Erik ten Hag makes Liverpool admission & names best Man Utd performance this season

Erik ten Hag has spoken about Manchester United’s upswing in form during the first part of the season and claims the win over Liverpool was a huge moment for the ‘belief’ of his squad.

The Red Devils lost their opening two Premier League matches to Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford resulting in an early sense of panic setting in at Old Trafford. Yet a 2-1 victory in the following game, against Liverpool, kickstarted their campaign, and from there United went on to win four consecutive matches. Ten Hag’s side sit fifth in the table over the World Cup break and there’s renewed hope they can push into the top four by the end of the season.

Speaking in a recent interview, the United manager explained how significant he felt that Liverpool win was. “I think, definitely [it was key]. So especially in the mentality, the belief that we can compete with big opponents. That we can beat them. That gives a certain belief in the group, that we can compete with certain opponents,” Ten Hag told the club’s website.

“It doesn’t matter which it is, because Liverpool is a really good team, a world-class team. So, when you beat them, you can take that belief into other games.”

Ten Hag has overseen wins against Liverpool, Arsenal and West Ham United, but he highlighted the 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in October as the best performance so far from his stint at Old Trafford.

“I think we played some more good games, like Everton away, Chelsea was a really good performance. But Spurs definitely. I think on that night, we played the best performance in this first 14 games in the Premier League,” he said.

“That is like the standard we have to build on and we have to progress. But by far we are now there where we want to be. If you want to compete for trophies, then you have to do much better in a lot of elements of football.

“That’s what we’re working for but you’re still in the fifth position of the league. I think we’re just in the right position. If we do the right things, if we work good, if we have the right plan, then yes I think it’s hopeful. It gives us a good idea of where we can finish.”