Man United suffered a 2-1 defeat vs Valencia in the Champions League on Wednesday / Image: Getty Images
Manchester United warmed up for this weekend’s Premier League fixture at Anfield with a 2-1 loss against Valencia in the Champions League.
Champions League
Mestalla Stadium
Goals: C. Soler (17’), P. Jones OG (47’), M. Rashford (87’)
Jurgen Klopp’s side take on Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday, in what will be one of the biggest games of the season so far.
The Reds went to the top of the Premier League table with a 4-0 victory over Bournemouth, before sealing Champions League progression with a 1-0 win over Napoli on Tuesday night.
With Manchester City just a point behind in second place and playing Everton at home in the early kick-off on Saturday, they could well be back on top by the time the Reds are back in action.
Liverpool don’t need any more incentive to beat Jose Mourinho’s side, however they will know that victory would see them retain their place at the top of the Premier League.
Man United prepared for the game with a 2-1 loss against La Liga side Valencia at the Mestalla Stadium, although they had already qualified for the last 16.
Marcus Rashford, Jesse Lingard, Ashley Young and Ander Herrera were all on the bench, but the likes of Paul Pogba, Juan Mata and Romelu Lukaku all started.
The home side took the lead in the 17th minute after a clearance landed at the feet of Carlos Soler, who found the bottom corner with an exceptional, driven shot.
United failed to really get going in the first half and Valencia then doubled their advantage early in the second half.
Phil Jones slid in to make a tackle on Michy Batshuayi after chasing a through pass, only for the ball to ping into an open net.
Mourinho’s side had a glimmer of hope when Ashley Young's cross found substitute Marcus Rashford to head home from about eight yards out.
However, it wasn’t enough and the result means that United failed to take advantage of Juventus’ surprising defeat to Young Boys to top the group, finishing second.
They sit in sixth place in the Premier League, eight points behind fourth-placed Arsenal.
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