Michael Carrick has openly admitted that the clashes between Manchester United and Liverpool sit high on his list of favourite fixtures, while Liverpool manager Arne Slot has stressed that a win would be a crucial milestone on the road to Champions League qualification. The two sides are set to meet at Old Trafford on Super Sunday, with kickoff slated for 3:30 pm, and the points gap between them in the top‑four race is a mere three points.
The Manchester United‑Liverpool rivalry remains one of the Premier League's most iconic showdowns, and Carrick is no stranger to its intensity. "It’s certainly one of my favourite games. It’s a standout game," the United head coach said during his pre‑match press conference.
"There are big games and big rivalries with other clubs, but this one is right up there. The history, the ups and downs, the drama that these matches have produced over the years, the excitement, the entertainment and the emotion – that’s a huge part of why it feels so special." He went on to note that the rivalry transcends league positions. "The edge and the competition, regardless of where we sit on the table, the back‑and‑forth of who has been on top at different times – it never really changes the feeling of the game or the passion of the supporters.
It’s a special occasion to be part of, and coming out on top is the best feeling you can get." Last season the two clubs met twice in the league. Liverpool triumphed 3‑0 at Old Trafford and later drew 2‑2 at Anfield, while United secured a 2‑1 victory at Anfield in the reverse fixture in October under former manager Rúben Amorim.
United have not managed to win both league encounters against Liverpool since the 2015‑16 campaign. Slot, reflecting on the progress United have made since Carrick took charge, said: "Last season when we played them they weren’t in the same league position they are now, and I thought their players were better than their table standing suggested.
A busy transfer window added a lot of quality, and now we’re finally seeing that reflected in the league table." He added that United’s consistency has improved under Carrick. "It might be a slight advantage that they only play once a week, but when we face them regularly I can see how good they are. Under Michael Carrick they have become more consistent in their results." Both managers recognise that the match carries far more weight than pure bragging rights.
United sit third in the table, while Liverpool are level on 58 points with Aston Villa in fifth, ahead on goal difference. A win for Liverpool this weekend would likely cement their place in next season's Champions League, while United are also keen to keep the pressure on.
Slot summed up the stakes: "Every game influences your league position. We know it’s a massive fixture, not just because we face United but because it has direct implications for Champions League qualification and for securing the highest possible finish. I wouldn’t call it a step forward, but it is the right step to take.
It’s an important step – not a step backwards, but a vital one toward our European ambitions." Carrick, for his part, downplays the immediate league implications, focusing instead on the progress his side has made. "The result will affect the table, but we’re more interested in the improvements the squad has shown and the strength we bring into this game after a string of good results. We’re fully aware of how close the race is, but that isn’t our primary focus." He emphasized treating the encounter as a standalone event. "It’s a one‑off game.
Liverpool have great players and they won the league last year, and we respect everything that goes into that. We’re approaching it as a single match, and the league will sort itself out. Sunday is a completely different ball game." Carrick also highlighted the privilege of participating in such a historic rivalry.
"It’s a real privilege for all of us to be involved – two incredible clubs, so close geographically and historically, making such an impact over time. That makes the fixture even more special." The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, with a kickoff at 3:30 pm on Super Sunday. Fans can also follow live Premier League tables and highlights to keep track of the evolving title race and European qualification battle.