United 'Much Better' Than 14th

Liverpool boss Slot says rivals are in a false position in the table ahead of their clash

- AFP, REUTERS

Arne Slot believes that crisis-hit Manchester United are "much, much better" than their shocking position in the English Premier League suggests, as he prepares his Liverpool team for a clash against their rivals on Jan 5.

The Reds were six points clear at the top of the table - before second-placed Arsenal played Brighton & Hove Albion on Jan 4 in a match that kicked off after press time - and are favourites to land a 20th English top-flight crown.

United, by contrast, were down in 14th heading into this weekend after five defeats in their past six league games under new manager Ruben Amorim.

But Slot, also in his first campaign in England, is adamant he will not take his opponents lightly at Anfield, when asked on Jan 3 if he might consider resting players.

"No, of course I'm not going to plan to rest any player because it's a big game and I said it before the first fixture (a 3-0 win at Old Trafford) and I can say it one more time, that they have much better players in my opinion than maybe the league table shows," the Dutchman insisted.