Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is under pressure at Old Trafford with his potential sacking set to impact Liverpool as well

Liverpool’s arch-rivals Manchester United are in another crisis. Manager Erik ten Hag is under pressure again after Sunday’s 3-0 defeat to Tottenham left them 12th in the Premier League table. 

United finished eighth in the league last season, their lowest top-flight finish since 1989/90, with May’s surprise FA Cup final win over Manchester City playing a key role in saving United’s manager from the sack. But results have continued to be disappointing at Old Trafford, leaving Ten Hag in a precarious position just months into the 24/25 campaign.

The Red Devils face a tricky run of fixtures before the international break with a trip to Porto in the Europa League followed by a fixture away at Aston Villa on Sunday. Ten Hag will know that his job could be on the line in United’s next two games.

So how will Liverpool be affected by the mess in Manchester? Do they already have one less rival to worry about in the top four race? Are the Reds set to move clear in the battle to become England’s most successful club? Below, our writers at the Echo have had their say…

Isaac Seelochan

With United in another crisis and no sign of them turning things around, this presents an excellent opportunity for Liverpool. The Reds should be looking towards equalling United’s record of most league titles (20) and pulling clear when it comes to most trophies won (Liverpool currently lead with 69 compared to United’s 68).

Of course, that’s easier said than done with both Arsenal and Man City looking a little better than Arne Slot’s team so far. It’s hard to see both of those teams losing at home to Nottingham Forest like Liverpool did for example.

However, whilst United are still in the doldrums and Liverpool are looking on the up, they must capitalise on this. In terms of the top four race, I think we can safely say already that United won’t be finishing above the Reds. 

Bruna Reis

Liverpool have nothing to worry about what is happening in Manchester but instead, take great pleasure in seeing the mess their rivals are in. The possibility of United sacking Ten Hag and bring in another manager, will likely have little impact on the work Slot has done so far at Anfield and his aspirations for the season.

In terms of the Premier League race, I think it’s safe to say the Reds will finish higher than United, whether they stick with Ten Hag or appoint with a new manager. There is a difference in what Liverpool are building at Anfield and what has been done at Old Trafford.

Ineos backed the Dutch boss significantly in the summer, signing the players he asked for and still, they have struggled to show an improvement.

Isaac Johnson

Speaking cynically, the sacking of Erik ten Hag might make United more of a threat to Liverpool – although there is little chance of any newcomer posing a danger to Arne Slot’s own aspirations this season. What happens on the red side of Manchester will not impact the mindset at Anfield.

United have sunken so low in the historic rivalry between the two clubs that last season’s goalless draw on Merseyside was celebrated like a win. Their 4-3 extra-time FA Cup victory at Old Trafford a few months later was treated like an historic moment, and made their campaign until the final itself.

The honeymoon bounce for any new United coach in this season’s Premier League battle at Anfield is about as dangerous as things will get for Liverpool, who have so far taught them a lesson in how to transition out of a great era into a new one following the U-turn in fortunes at Old Trafford following Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure.

Tom Coley

Liverpool fans can take a bit more pleasure in this one. The 3-0 win at Old Trafford may well prove to have been one of the final straws for Ten Hag. They have inflicted a defeat that United cannot ignore or erase.

This is something to gloat about and to laugh at. The enemy remains in a state of perpetual doom. The next guy (and there is surely going to be a next guy sooner rather than later) won’t be able to do any worse though.

Ten Hag has been shoddy at best. He hasn’t always had the tools or environment to succeed but the story of transfers and players signed for him speak for themselves. Ten Hag has been backed and he hasn’t managed to consistently show that he can coach a good team.

For Liverpool, this is likely to mean that United are more of a threat but really the gap in quality and organisation is so big that it will be ages before they actually look like challenging Slot’s men properly. On a game-to-game basis maybe there will be a change but Ruud van Nistelrooy’s United won’t be going for the title any time soon – if it is indeed to be the assistant coach.