Liverpool must play Manchester United the opponent and not the emotion of one of football’s greatest rivalries, claims Sky Sports commentator Martin Tyler.
Liverpool visit United on Sunday afternoon (4.30pm) looking to make it 18 Premier League wins in a row.
Victory for Jurgen Klopp’s side would equal Manchester City’s record of most consecutive top-flight wins, set two seasons ago.
United’s form going into the fixture represents a massive contrast to the Reds’, as they have won just two of their first eight games of the campaign and sit in 14th in the table.
Liverpool are big favourites to come away with all three points but have not won on the ground of their rivals since 2014.
Tyler, who will be at Old Trafford commentating on the match, says there is expectation on Liverpool’s shoulders but reckons they must not get caught up in the emotion of the fixture.
“It’s a wonderful fixture, it’s a wonderful rivalry,” Tyler told Express Sport.
“Obviously it’s a slightly different set of circumstances, usually when the teams meet they’re much closer in the table.
“But it hasn’t always been the case, obviously there’s been periods when Manchester United have been heading towards league titles and Liverpool have been off the pace but the boot’s on the other foot now and we’ll see how both teams cope with it.
“I think there’s probably a weight of expectation on Liverpool, their record at Old Trafford isn’t particularly good, but I think they probably need to play the opponent and not the fixture, if you see what I mean.
“That would be how I’m sure Jurgen Klopp’s going about it.
“There’s a bit of history involved as well because even a draw would mean Liverpool don’t equal the record of all-time top flight consecutive wins, so that’s a target in itself I think for Manchester United to stop the run of wins.
“They would take some satisfaction from that.”
Manchester United vs Liverpool is live on Sky Sports Premier League from 3pm on Sunday.
