29 February 2024 , 13:11
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Jurgen Klopp must do something no Liverpool boss has managed in 103 years - since the days of David Ashworth - when the Reds visit Manchester United in the FA Cup.
Ashworth was manager the last time Liverpool won an FA Cup tie at Old Trafford, back on January 12, 1921. Liverpool won the first-round replay 2-1, thanks to a winner from Harry Chambers after Bill Lacey had levelled, and that great side, which would win back-to-back titles in 1922 and 1923, also boasted the legendary Elisha Scott in goal.
That is the scale of the task facing Klopp and the quarter-final, which is likely to be on St Patrick’s Day, Sunday March 17, must be played to a conclusion.
Of course, making history is nothing new for Klopp and he recorded Liverpool’s biggest win over United when they walloped them 7-0 at Anfield in March 2023. He also masterminded their biggest win at Old Trafford when they won 5-0 in October 2021.
Klopp has lost his one tie against United in the FA Cup - 3-2 in January 2021 - when the Reds went into meltdown, losing six successive home games.
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The German has beaten United in knockout football and Liverpool won their 2016 Europa League tie 3-1 on aggregate in an early sign of what he would achieve at Anfield.
The stakes are high for both managers and the fans will revel in this resumption of English football’s fiercest rivalry and the one with the longest history. This will be their 213rd meeting and Liverpool will return to Old Trafford in the Premier League just three weeks later.
The fixture has added spice because United are the only big side to edge the head-to-head record and the Old Trafford side have 82 wins to Liverpool’s 71.
Then there is the title and United, under Sir Alex Ferguson, eclipsed Liverpool, taking their tally to a record 20.
Liverpool saw off Southampton to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals (PA)
The FA Cup is Erik ten Hag’s last chance of a trophy in his second season (Getty Images)Victory for Liverpool would end Erik ten Hag’s last chance of a trophy in his second season and push him closer to the Old Trafford exit. It will not be fatal, though, and ten Hag’s fate will ultimately be decided on whether he can deliver Champions League football again.
For United, they have the chance to end Klopp’s quadruple hopes in his final season - and how sweet that would be for their fans. They have history with Liverpool and it was their 2-1 win over the Reds at Old Trafford in August 2022, which launched ten Hag at United.
United had lost their opening two games, including a 4-0 defeat at Brentford, and already the vultures were circling ten Hag, waiting for him to fail. United went on from that victory to win the Carabao Cup - their first trophy since 2017 - finish third and qualify for the Champions League. Liverpool trailed in fifth and missed out on the Champions League for the only time when Klopp has been in charge for a full season.
It’s all to play for at Old Trafford when more history will be made.
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