Phil Jones has issued a rallying cry to Manchester United’s players as Rúben Amorim prepares his squad to face Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.
With the October 2025 international break now over, Manchester United return to Premier League action with a trip to Anfield to face Liverpool.
Rúben Amorim’s side sit 10th in the table after three wins from their opening seven matches, but there’s a hint of optimism in the air as they prepare to take on an out-of-sorts Liverpool.
Arne Slot’s men started the league campaign with five straight victories but have since suffered three defeats on the bounce in all competitions — against Crystal Palace, Galatasaray, and Chelsea. Late goals proved costly in the Palace and Chelsea games, while the trip to Istanbul ended in a narrow 1-0 loss.
United, buoyed by their 2-0 win over Sunderland before the break, will hope a strong performance at Anfield can mark the start of a more consistent run of form.
Jones issues United vs Liverpool rally cry
Phil Jones had a very injury-hit career during his 13 years at United, and was only able to make 229 appearances for the Reds between 2011 and 2024. For context, Bruno Fernandes has 298 since joining in January 2020.
However, Jones was always part of big dressing rooms with prominent figures who played in big games. Speaking with MailSport, he has issued a rallying cry for the current United crop to face Liverpool full on and secure all three points, explaining that the players will feel exactly what’s at stake.
“There is no better place to go and win than Liverpool in their own backyard,” Jones said. “It’s everything that comes with this game. The media speculation during the week, more cameras around the training ground, more people talking about it, the build-up on Sky Sports.
“Everything is about United and Liverpool, and the players are so aware of it. They know it’s a huge game, not just for them and the club but for the fans. When you get there, it’s a difficult ground to play football in.
“Gary Neville says it’s one of the most difficult grounds you’ll ever go to; the atmosphere, the nice hatred between the two clubs and the history of the rivalry. It’s intense, it’s frantic, but, my God, what a game to play in if you can win!”
Amorim must break long-standing duck at Anfield
Jones was only able to experience an away victory at Anfield once in his career. He started and played 90 minutes as Juan Mata’s brace, including a stunning acrobatic volley, secured a 2-1 win for Louis van Gaal’s Reds in March 2015.
As for United’s recent record at Anfield, the club have not secured three Premier League points at the ground since January 2016, when a sole goal from Wayne Rooney split the difference. If Amorim is to win on Sunday afternoon, it would be the club’s first at the ground in almost ten years.
Although Liverpool won their first five games, their current poor form and up to five possible first-team injuries give United a slim but definite chance to secure a win.
Last season, Amorim’s Reds held Slot’s men to a 2-2 draw, and prior to that Erik ten Hag’s team played out a 0-0, giving hope that at least one point is possible.
However, Liverpool’s last win against United on their home turf was a 7-0 victory, one of the most embarrassing losses in United’s long-standing history. A lot rides on this fixture for both teams.
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