- Manchester United host Liverpool in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon
- In the reverse fixture earlier this season, United managed just one shot on target
- Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren expects United be as equally defensive-minded
Dejan Lovren has claimed Jose Mourinho will revert to his cautious type on Saturday as he vowed Liverpool will be committed to all-out attack.
The biggest rivalry in English football resumes at Old Trafford with the winner of this showdown almost certain to finish runners-up to Manchester City; it is Liverpool’s intention to go for victory and utilise the talents of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino.
When the teams last met at Anfield in October, Mourinho set his team up not to lose – a point highlighted by the fact that United barely threatened and only managed one tame shot on target in 90 minutes.
Dejan Lovren expects Manchester United to be defensive when Liverpool visit on Saturday
Lovren trained at Liverpool’s Melwood base ahead of the mouthwatering Old Trafford clash
Liverpool, it should be noted, were not much better in that fixture but their form has improved dramatically since then and Lovren, whose performances have improved since Virgil van Dijk arrived at the club in January, is adamant they will be committed to going for goals.
‘It will be a tough challenge definitely,’ said Lovren. ‘Last time, when they came here, they defend really deep so let’s see what happens now.’
Asked whether United would defend deep again, he replied: ‘I think so. They need the points, definitely. For them it will be maybe a point good but for us, we never play for a point. We are there; we will give our best. We will play like we play every day, attacking football. Let’s enjoy it.
‘You know, Mourinho has his own plans. Whatever he wants to do, it is not our job to know. It is our job to focus on ourselves and play how we hope will beat them. We didn’t do the best game in our season (against Porto) but we can concentrate for the next game, the big game against United.’
Speaking about United boss Jose Mourinho’s tactics – Lovren believes they’ll defend deep
Lovren will square up to Lukaku for the first time since the pair clashed at Anfield. The Croatia defender accused the Belgium international of deliberately kicking him in the face; the Football Association studied the video of the clash but said Lukaku had no charge to face.
‘He is a top striker,’ said Lovren, who revealed that the pair had not had contact since Anfield.
‘We can say what we want (but) he scores many goals. Maybe they are not in the best shape but still they win ugly. What matters is the points. It (the stamp) is over. There is another game.
‘I enjoy playing against big, top strikers. The biggest challenge for me is when you have Mo Salah and Sadio Mane at the training ground – then you know what you are. Definitely Lukaku is one of the best strikers in the Premier League. He showed that many times.’
Romelu Lukaku is set to go up against Lovren after they last clashed at Anfield in October
