Every word from Erik ten Hag ahead of Man United’s clash vs Liverpool at Anfield

Erik ten Hag spoke to the media ahead of Manchester United’s Premier League fixture against Liverpool on Sunday.

The Reds travel to Anfield to battle against their fierce rivals for the second time this season. The reverse fixture at Old Trafford saw Ten Hag win his first game as manager at the club in a 2-1 victory.

After Tottenham Hotspur dropped three points against Wolves on Saturday, United could extend the gap from third to fourth place to 10 points if they win their games in hand.

There is the possibility that United could win away at Liverpool for the first time in seven years and Ten Hag was asked about many topics – including the latest team news and the impact of Casemiro – ahead of the clash.

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Have you been to Anfield before? What have you been told about it? “I’ve been to Anfield, yes. I’m looking forward [to it], I know the ambience, the atmosphere will be great. It will be hostile against us, and we like it.”

Are you aware of the fierce rivalry? “I am aware of it. I know what a rivalry is and I know that the biggest rivalry for us is Liverpool. We are totally aware of it.”

How big of a mentality test will it be? “It is, of course, a test. But we’re facing Liverpool and we’re really looking forward [to it], I know these players, my squad, my team will be prepared to go and fight, to go with confidence but we know it’s going to be difficult. We know we have to suffer, we have to sacrifice to get a good result.”

Do you feel like you’re taking a team of warriors there? “Definitely. We need strong mentality on Sunday, if you want win this game, yeah.”

Are you surprised about Liverpool’s struggles this season? “I’m not talking about Liverpool, it’s not my responsibility. I have enough do at Carrington, I have enough to do with Manchester United, so I have to deal with the performance of Manchester United and that’s all I’m aware of and where I’m putting all my effort in.”

How big was the win against Liverpool in August? “It’s in the process. It’s a couple of months back so we are now in a different process, a different period. I don’t look back, I look forward. I look forward to Sunday and I really want to enjoy this.”

Do you think Liverpool and Man City’s era of dominance is over? “There’s always a pattern, it never goes consistently [upward] in a way, it’s fluid. I’m sure Liverpool has really good management, a really good way of playing, good philosophy, good strategy, I don’t think so [the era is over]. But, once again, we are not talking about other clubs, we are talking about us and I think we are in a good direction and with our philosophy, strategy and culture, we have to keep getting progress. It’s all about that.”

Are the players recognisable to you from the start of the season to now? We don’t have to compare. It’s about the future, it’s about now. We’re facing a fantastic opponent and we’re looking forward, so it’s all about us to get the right preparation and to be ready for that game.”

How do you make players hungry again? “It is difficult to say in a few words or a few sentences. It’s more about the total package. It’s more like philosophy, culture, strategy, and to bring that consistently forward day by day.” 

Do you think it’s time to have the belief to make a statement win away from home? “Yes, but I think we had also away from home some good performances. For me, there’s no difference. The pitch, everywhere, is the same size, there are three [officials] refereeing and a fourth [official]. The ball is round, there’s air in the ball. So we have to play and make it our game. Of course we know the ambience will not be supporting us, and you have to deal with that. But as I said, our players like that. They like playing in such atmospheres.” 

Would that send out a message? Because you lost away to Man City and Arsenal… “So that is the next step we have to make then.”

Did you feel complacency sneaked in against West Ham in the first half? “What I say was we are not playing [to] our standards, that is what I saw in the first half. So then I will be tough to my team, to my players, because I demand a performance. Every day I demand a performance and I don’t accept when it’s lower. I will criticise them and I will tell them what I expect, and I have to give the team solutions for how to win the game, and I think the performance in the second half was much better.”

Will you have any players returning to the squad against Liverpool? “I think we will have players back. Yesterday [against West Ham] Luke Shaw was not available, so we expect him back. [Jadon] Sancho was ill, but we will have to wait and see how that develops but I think he could be [available] as well.”

Does fighting for all trophies get more difficult towards the end of the season? “We like to play. We have energy from playing every third to fourth day, so we want to keep that going but think about it game by game, so Sunday [is the] next game.”

Are the team mentality monsters now? “I think our mentality in general is very good. I think we have many leaders who set the mentality, who set the standards, control the standards, who correct if necessary. I think we are happy with this process, but we can always be better and that has to to be the approach.”

Was Casemiro’s criticism of Bruno Fernandes after full-time in the Carabao Cup final an example of the standards at the club now? “Yeah, I think it shows we [are] winning a trophy, we are happy, but the players, they have the approach that good is not good enough. It was 2-0 so we could have won 3-0 if we make better decisions. And I think it’s about that and it’s good that players take each other in responsibility and set high standards and set high demands to each other and control them. So then sometimes you need a correction or you need a discussion so that player is aware of his responsibilities.”

Ten Hag asked about this moment keeping standards high: “I think it shows we [are] winning a trophy, we are happy, but the players, they have the approach that good is not good enough. It was 2-0 so we could have won 3-0 if we make better decisions.” https://t.co/09Ho59H9G4

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Have you ever had a player set standards like Casemiro? “I had a player in Ajax who set such standards, but definitely Casemiro in this team, he is such a leader and he is so important for us. Not only with his performances, skills, like scoring a goal, or his header, or like linking up or intercepting balls. Organisation, the mentality, the culture, and we are so happy that we signed him.”

Did you feel like you needed to add players with top mentalities to the squad when you joined? “I think when you go to recruitment in the summer, we were looking for players with character, with personality and it was not only about signing a player – there are a lot of players in the world that have great skills. So technical approach or they can run really fast. But we are looking for players who have character. Players who have personality, who have leadership, who take responsibility, who are resilient. So that was the type of players I was looking for after I made the analysis of the squad.”

Did Casemiro surprise you in how good he is in those attributes? “No, from these attributes absolutely not. I knew what a magnificent player he was. Just look through his profile. You see all the cups he won and that’s not [a] coincidence. Like Rapha Varane and Casemiro, they won five Champions Leagues. That’s not a coincidence, it’s not like all of a sudden. For me it’s always the same. You have players who win, and win always, and players who lose and always lose. Of course, you have to do your research and find that type who will win and who are cooperative in the dressing room to be humble but when they are on the pitch they take responsibility and you can sit on the bench and you are composed, because you know the players will do the job and will deal with the situation and will bring you the wins.”

In the first game against Liverpool, you made big decisions to drop Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Maguire, does the potential impact of those decisions worry you? “Yeah, I consider definitely. I have to see and to face the consequences of it. The impact from the decisions, not only on the short term but on the longer term, of course. But you don’t always have a lot of time in that period – I remember we had 10 days – so I could consider which choice would be the best. But I think you always have to think statistically and [consider] what is the consequence on the longer term. And I am aware of it but that’s my job and that’s the responsibility I have to take.”

It was a successful decision but could’ve gone wrong, you must of had reasons… “I had reasons, they were obvious. And I knew also the consequence and also when it was a negative outcome from that game, which always is possible in football. But I’m not worrying. I sleep well, also in those nights, and I have to take the decisions in respect and in advance of the team and of the club. That is my job and that is the responsibility I have to take and I have to stand for those decisions.”