Gary Neville believes Manchester United can hurt Liverpool from set pieces

Former Manchester United right back and captain Gary Neville believes that Jose Mourinho’s men can hurt Liverpool from set pieces and cited defensive frailties at Arsenal on the opening day of the season as a reminder for Jurgen Klopp. Liverpool went on to beat Arsenal 4-3 in what was a cracker of a match, however the away side led 4-1 before Arsene Wenger’s players clawed back two goals, but couldn’t find an equaliser. United recently beat Leicester City 4-1, with three goals from corners – although, the away side’s marking was atrocious in the first half.

Neville, who famously ran the length of the Old Trafford pitch to celebrate in front of the Liverpool fans following a late Rio Ferdinand winner in 2006, believe that if United can put the ball in and around the goalkeeper – they will cause Liverpool problems.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has caused havoc in for opposing centre halves in his early United career and although the Swede hasn’t scored in the Premier League since his first half strike against Manchester City in the 2-1 defeat last month – he will be a threat to Joël Matip and Dejan Lovren.

Neville, who has been full of praise for Jose Mourinho so far – stating the Portuguese is correcting the mistakes of the past three years, feels that if United can deal with Liverpool’s pressing game can come out on top late on as the home side begin to tire. United have scored four goals, out of thirteen, after the sixty minute mark this season so far.

“The big weakness for Liverpool on Monday is set pieces. If United put the ball in the box around the goalkeeper and the back four there’s going to be problems. That’s the way Liverpool are at the moment. Even against Arsenal in the first game of the season it was 4-1 and Arsenal made it 4-2 and you could see Jurgen Klopp on the sidelines thinking ‘do I quite trust these?'”

“I did think that the last 15 minutes against Chelsea was a big, big moment. To come through it when it was 2-1 was a big moment to give them the confidence that they can actually hold on to a lead. They did it at Arsenal as well, but they still look a little bit weak defensively. It might not play out in the goals they concede, but it feels to me like from 60 minutes to 90 minutes they tire a little bit and dip. That’s where it feels like United could get on top.”

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