03 March 2023 , 14:05
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Trent Alexander-Arnold insists that he'll need the help of his Liverpool team-mates to stop in-form Manchester United star Marcus Rashford.
Rashford, who's bagged a superb 25 goals in all competitions this season, is enjoying a sensational run and scored against the Reds earlier this term, netting the winner in a stunning 2-1 victory which sparked Erik ten Hag's tenure at Old Trafford into life. The England international, who's interchanged between various roles in recent weeks but prefers to play on the left wing, will be hoping to add to his tally at Anfield, with Alexander-Arnold likely to be his marker.
In the previous seven meetings between the pair, Rashford has managed to score five goals and one would be brave to bet against him improving that rate on Merseyside this Sunday. To stop him, Alexander-Arnold reckons that it'll take a group effort from a Liverpool team fresh off a much-needed 2-0 win against Wolves on Wednesday, while United and Rashford dramatically made it through to the FA Cup quarter-finals.
"The only thing that's really changed is he's probably scored a lot more recently but he's the same player, he's always a threat and I'm sure he will be a threat on Sunday," the Reds right-back told Sky Sports of Rashford. "It will be a tough game but it's one I'm looking forward to and it will be a good test.
"It's difficult [to stop Rashford]. He's a player who's got a lot of weapons in his arsenal but I think it's more of a team effort, it won't be just a one-on-one thing. They'll have more than just Marcus going forward, it's a team thing and as long as the team wins on Sunday, that's all I'm bothered about."
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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is well aware of the threat which Rashford poses, especially in this vein of form. The 25-year-old has failed to score in just one of his 10 Premier League appearances since the World Cup and Klopp admits that he's happy for Rashford, who's something of a national treasure thanks to outstanding charity work.
Trent Alexander-Arnold's task will once again be to stop Marcus Rashford (PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)Have your say! Who'll come out on top - Liverpool or Man Utd? Give us your verdict in the comments section.
"It's impossible to be positive about something at Manchester United when you are Liverpool manager, but I am happy for Rashford," the German told a pre-match press conference on Friday. "He is playing incredible. Speed, calm, a mix of everything."
Klopp even hopes that the resurgent United star, who only scored five goals throughout the whole of last season, can serve as an example for his players amid their ongoing struggles. "It's something you have to deal with," the Reds boss noted in February.
"Of course, some players didn't reach the level that have reached for us consistently. One of the best examples is Marcus Rashford, the season he had last year and this year. I'm not sure he can even explain it. That's how it goes. The time between these two extremes, you have to fight through it."