With four points dropped in their first two games, Liverpool’s margin for error in the projected title struggle with Manchester City appears to be rapidly dwindling as the Reds prepare to face Manchester United at Old Trafford on Monday.
Juergen Klopp’s team are already in the bottom half of the standings after mediocre performances in draws against Fulham and Crystal Palace, while injuries and a three-game suspension for new acquisition Darwin Nunez add to the disquiet at Anfield.
Incredibly, Liverpool’s early-season woes pale in comparison to those of archrival Manchester United.
United are bottom of the Premier League for the first time since 1992 after losing their first two games against Brighton and Hove Albion and Brentford.
They recovered to win the title thirty years ago, but not even the most optimistic United fans feel they can realistically fight for the top four, let alone challenge incumbent champions City.
For a few hours on Wednesday morning, United fans dared to hope that Tesla inventor Elon Musk was planning to acquire the club, only for the billionaire to subsequently explain that his Twitter tweet was a prank.
The apparent interest in purchasing Manchester United by British chemicals mogul Jim Ratcliffe provides some hope for United fans desperate to see the Glazer family’s ownership end.
But for the time being, the only thing on their minds will be avoiding humiliation at the hands of a Liverpool side keen to get their season started.
United’s performance last Saturday against Brentford, in which they allowed four goals in the first 35 minutes, was one of the most humiliating in the club’s rich history.
Erik ten Hag, United’s new manager, looked disheartened on the sidelines, and the Dutchman had no idea how difficult it would be to turn around the club’s fortunes.
United have now lost four consecutive Premier League games, scoring once and conceding 11 times, dating back to the end of last season.
Liverpool will be salivating after defeating United 5-0 away and 4-0 at home last season.
Ten Hag’s issues are so numerous that his mind will whirl. Keeper David de Gea was a burden against Brentford, as were most of the defenders in front of him, and Cristiano Ronaldo seemed to want to be somewhere else.
United certainly needs multiple quality recruits, but they have so far failed miserably in the transfer market with time running out.
