Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk speaks about the upcoming Manchester United fixture

Liverpool centre-back Virgil van Dijk talks about playing Manchester United at Old Trafford this Monday. The Dutchman hopes for the game to be “interesting”.

The Reds take on Erik ten Hag’s new look Manchester United at Old Trafford for the first time after last season’s famous 5-0 win over our North-West rivals. Mohamed Salah scored a hat-trick that game, with Diogo Jota and Naby Keita also among the scorers.

Even with that famous win, Liverpool have had tough times at The Theatre of Dreams winning just 2 of their 6 league visits there since Jurgen Klopp has been in charge. Van Dijk insists on the same in his interview as well. Speaking after the draw against Crystal Palace, he said in an interview (h/t Liverpool Echo):

“Over the years it has proven tough for us to win there, obviously last year was a great result, we can’t deny it. This year they’ve had a difficult start and we’ve not had the best start that we wanted either, so it will be interesting.”

Since that win, United have had four managers in charge at the club. Ole Gunnar Solksjaer, Michael Carrick, Ralf Ragnick and now Erik ten Hag. Both teams coming into the fixture haven’t had the best of starts.

Liverpool are set to arrive at Old Trafford on Monday night after drawing both their previous games. Against Fulham, at Craven Cottage and a home draw to Crystal Palace. Van Dijk gave away a controversial penalty to Fulham, which was not an ideal situation for the club. Speaking of United, the 31-year-old also added the following:

“They are a good team in my opinion, they have good players all over the pitch. Obviously they’re not in the best situation confidence-wise probably, but it’s the perfect game to turn it around for them.”

He also spoke about how Liverpool “are ready” for the challenges that come with this game and how the Reds are “looking at themselves” in this time of utmost importance.

The Reds were dominant against United last season home and away, winning the two games by an aggregate scoreline of 9-0. Van Dijk would hope his team can at least manage two wins from these two games against them in this campaign.

And there is no doubt that he would be the man responsible to command our backline. He has proven to be a leader at the back, a captain without the armband of sorts, in a Liverpool team that has become challengers for all major titles.

More Liverpool News

• Jordan Henderson speaks about Liverpool after Sadio Mane exit
• Liverpool Assistant Manager Pepijn Lijnders backs James Milner to step into coaching soon
• Former Chelsea defender William Gallas claims Liverpool ‘wont finish in top four’

Liverpool would look to get back to winning ways, and no better fixture to get on track than arch-rivals Manchester United.