Liverpool beating Manchester United at Old Trafford after their summer transfers will be a major nail in the coffin for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and a huge feather in Jurgen Klopp’s hat.
Varane was withdrawn from the Nations League final after suffering a muscle injury and is set to miss the Liverpool clash in two weeks’ time which is a massive early boost to the Reds’ chances of victory.
While the former Real Madrid defender hasn’t been perfect since he moved to Old Trafford for £41m, he is a world-class defender and is a massive upgrade on Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly and will be a miss for United now that he can’t return to fitness in time.
Liverpool are second in the Premier League after their 2-2 draw with Manchester City before the international break, with Chelsea top of the pile. City are third and United are in fourth.
A win at Old Trafford will underline Klopp’s managerial strength
While Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is coming under fire for recent poor displays since splashing the cash in the transfer market, Jurgen Klopp has been praised for the way his team is performing after barely spending at all once again.
The German has been shackled at times by owners FSG as he is required to sell before he can buy unlike Man City, United and Chelsea. Liverpool’s rivals appear to be able to spend almost without limit and do so year after year.
The only summer in which Klopp was able to really invest into his squad followed the record sale of Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona and it seems that unless another big sale follows, he will be required to make smart purchases before developing and growing the players he signs into world-beaters.
Beating United on their own patch after they signed Cristiano Ronaldo and co. will be a message to the Premier League that as long as Liverpool have Klopp at the helm, they will be a serious force to be reckoned with.