Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo admits the desire to dominate drove the players to their historic 7-0 win over arch-rivals Manchester United last season.
Erik ten Hag’s side suffered the largest defeat in the two clubs’ 211-game history in March, conceding six times in the second half as they were completely overwhelmed.
There was a party atmosphere in the Anfield stands that afternoon but on the pitch Gakpo said the mood was professional and clinical.
“It was a great game that one. We knew we had to win and after a good first half from both teams the second half we really dominated and scored a lot of goals,” the Dutchman said.
“I scored just before half-time and I think just two minutes after half-time Darwin (Nunez) scored the second one and two minutes after I scored the third. It was good for us to score that quick after half-time and kill the game. It was amazing.
“At one point you are not really looking at the score, you just want to dominate and show your best and I think everyone had a really great game that day. Hopefully we can repeat it.”
United return to Merseyside in much worse form having lost half of their 24 matches this season, finishing bottom of their Champions League group, compared to the spring when they arrived with eight wins and just one defeat in an 11-game run.
But Gakpo said Liverpool are guarded against complacency as they prepare to face a team who had the manager and player (Harry Maguire) of the month after three successive Premier League wins in November.
“Obviously they have a lot of quality in their team so we cannot under-estimate anything, it doesn’t matter what phase they are at in how they perform,” he said.
“We can’t take them lightly but we have to play our game and not really look at them. We have a lot of quality as well and we just have to show it again.”
Liverpool have the chance to establish a club-record 35th successive game with a goal on Sunday, bettering the record set by Jurgen Klopp’s side between April and December 2021.
“We know we score every game so hopefully we can keep that and score some goals,” said Gakpo.
“We are looking forward to the game but we are not thinking ‘We have to score seven again’. We just go into the game focused and really wanting to win.
“We know we are top of the table, we know what we want and we just have to keep working hard, keep staying together, focusing on every game and win every game.”
Nuno expects tough test versus Amorim's Man Utd
While Nuno Espirito Santo remains uncertain how Ruben Amorim will set Manchester United up on Saturday, he expects Nottingham Forest to face a tough test at Old Trafford.
Forest were beaten 3-0 by Premier League champions Manchester City on Wednesday, their third defeat in their last four games.
However, they remain within touching distance of the top five ahead of a second successive away game in Manchester, where they will face Ruben Amorim's United.
United suffered their first defeat under the former Sporting CP coach on Wednesday, going down 2-0 to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
With Amorim still getting to grips with his new squad, Nuno does not know what tactical challenges to expect but is certain United will present a major challenge.
The former Wolves boss said: "Their results are difficult to predict because Ruben in this moment is changing a lot.
"I think he is trying to get to know players better. The idea is there, we don't know exactly who is going to play, but for sure they have quality players.
"They are quality and have talented players. The shape is there. The personnel and the players... we cannot identify who is going to start, but our approach is always the same.
"Let's focus on the things they have been doing but also let's look at getting the advantage. It is always a tough place to go but let's focus on being positive on the game."
United conceded two goals from corners in their midweek defeat to the Gunners, prompting defender Matthijs de Ligt to demand improvements.
"In the end, we are Manchester United," De Ligt told MUTV. "We lost again and, yeah, it's easy, it's not good enough.
"So, we know that, we will work hard. We have to improve, and in two days or three days is the next game, so that will be a really important one again for us, to show again what we learned from this game and get the three points."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Manchester United – Bruno Fernandes
Fernandes has been involved in 11 goals in his last 10 appearances at Old Trafford (four goals, seven assists), having a hand in six goals in his last four in the Premier League (two goals, four assists).
He's never scored or assisted in five in a row in the league at Old Trafford, while Marcus Rashford was the last United player to do so overall (seven in 2022-23).
Nottingham Forest – Chris Wood
Wood has scored 12 goals in his last 14 away Premier League starts for Nottingham Forest, netting in three in a row before Wednesday's defeat at the Etihad.
He missed a glorious chance while Forest were a goal down last time out and will be determined to atone here.
MATCH PREDICTION – MANCHESTER UNITED WIN
Man United have won six of their seven Premier League home games against Forest, with the exception being a 2-1 loss in December 1994.
They have also scored in all 14 of their Premier League games against Forest, their joint-best 100% scoring record against an opponent in the competition along with Swansea City.
The Red Devils have won 3-0 against Leicester City and 4-0 against Everton in their last two Premier League home games.
They have not scored three or more goals in three consecutive home league games since February 2021, while they last did so while winning each time in December 2018.
With United also beating Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League, Amorim has won both of his home games in charge of the side so far – only five managers have won their first three at home with the Red Devils, most recently Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2018-19.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Manchester United – 55.9%
Nottingham Forest – 21.4%
Draw – 22.7%
Frank: Newcastle are Brentford's 'biggest home test' this season
Thomas Frank is certain that Newcastle United will pose his Brentford side their biggest test on home soil so far this season when they collide at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday.
Brentford, along with Brighton and Arsenal, are yet to taste defeat in front of their own supporters this term, but the Bees have failed to transpire that form into their away matches.
Frank’s men were comfortably beaten 3-1 by Aston Villa on Wednesday, leaving them with one point from their seven games on the road, which is the joint-worst record in the division.
And the Brentford boss is expecting a tough test for his players, citing Newcastle’s performance against Liverpool in midweek as the level Eddie Howe’s side can reach.
"Newcastle have looked good this season. And Eddie Howe has done a brilliant job over the last three years," Frank said. "First, they stayed in the league. They got into the Champions League two years ago.
“And, last year, they were in the Champions League for the first time in a long time, they got the experience of that, and still managed to get seventh - that would've usually got a European place, but unfortunately didn't.
"This season, I think they are back to the high level that they were at two years ago. I don't think they've been rewarded enough with the points and results. They were brilliant at home to Arsenal, and they were brilliant on Wednesday at home to Liverpool.
"So, I think it's an Eddie Howe team that is at its best and will be a big test for us; this will be the biggest test that we have faced at home so far this season."
While Newcastle are without a win in their last three Premier League games, their display against Arne Slot’s side will give supporters plenty of encouragement moving forward.
Their latest point moved them above Manchester United and into the top half of the table, but they are now six points behind the top four, but have a favourable run of fixtures to come.
After Brentford, the Magpies face Leicester City, Ipswich Town, Aston Villa and Manchester United in the league, and Newcastle boss Howe believes his side can use their display against Liverpool as a solid foundation to build on for their upcoming games.
“It was a great game. There was a lot of quality on the pitch, and we were pleased to fight back in the end, but also disappointed to lose a lead as well in the mix of it all.
“There was a feeling that when you play Liverpool you need as many goals as you can because you know their qualities, and they are never out of a game. That other goal has alluded us for much of the season, but at least we are creating chances.
“It was all there, and you can see the quality of the goals and our individual players. Really pleased with that dynamic. We have to be in a position to build confidence levels.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Brentford – Yoane Wissa
Wissa has scored in each of his last six Premier League home games for Brentford, netting eight goals in total.
Overall, he’s scored 18 goals at Gtech Community Stadium in the competition, just one fewer than Ivan Toney’s record of 19.
Newcastle – Harvey Barnes
Barnes was used as a substitute during Newcastle’s draw with Liverpool in midweek, but he will be hoping to be used from the start in the capital.
He has scored seven goals in his last 13 Premier League appearances in London, while he’s netted away at Brentford in each of the last two campaigns, for Leicester in 2022-23 and the Magpies on the final day of last season.
MATCH PREDICTION: DRAW
While Opta’s data-led simulations predict a draw, Newcastle have won their last five Premier League games against Brentford – only against Burnley between 2020 and 2024 (six) and Tottenham between 2006 and 2008 (six) have they had a longer winning run in the competition.
The Magpies have also won their last five away league games against the Bees in a run stretching back to 1992. In their league history, they’ve only ever won more consecutive away games against Derby County (seven between 1951 and 1965).
Newcastle have, however, kept just one clean sheet in their last 13 Premier League away games against London sides, shipping 26 goals in the process. Indeed, they’ve conceded at least twice in eight of their last 10 games in the capital.
But Brentford will be relying on home comforts to return to winning ways. They have won more home points than any other side in the Premier League this season (19). Their 19 points is their most after seven home games of a league season since 2004-05 (21 in League One), while their 22 goals are their most after seven home games since 1971-72 (26 in the fourth tier).
They have also won their last four Premier League home games, conceding the first goal in each of the last three of these. No side in Premier League history has won four consecutive home games, having conceded the first goal in each.
But this has historically been a difficult fixture for the Bees, who are winless in all six of their Premier League meetings with Newcastle (D1 L5), the most they’ve faced an opponent without ever winning in the competition.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Brentford – 35.1%
Draw – 25%
Newcastle – 39.8%
Guardiola backs Grealish in holding midfield role ahead of Palace trip
Pep Guardiola believes Jack Grealish's move into midfield could help Manchester City build some momentum when they visit Crystal Palace, having finally halted their winless run.
City had gone seven games without a win across all competitions, losing four in a row in the Premier League to slip well behind Liverpool in the title race.
However, they got back to winning ways with a 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest on Wednesday, with Grealish excelling in a new-look midfield role.
Grealish created three chances for team-mates and completed 57 of his 58 passes, with his pass accuracy of 98.3% the best recorded by any City starter.
Guardiola feels he could be a long-term solution in that position, with City searching for the right balance after losing Rodri to a long-term injury.
He said of Grealish: "He played in the middle and was involved in many things.
"Hopefully in the next games, if I decide to play him in that position, he can be involved in the final third and decisive in goals and assists.
"We controlled the game, and Jack gave us that pace. When to accelerate and control, he did it really good. I'm so happy for him.
"I know his quality. He has attributes to play holding midfield, keep the ball, break the lines and composure."
The fit-again Kevin De Bruyne played in front of Grealish and registered a goal and an assist, and the Belgian believes now is the time for City to go on a positive run.
"It's been a tough time but we tried to change it," he said.
"Unfortunately we've got a few guys who are injured so it's what is happening this year. But we'll try and recover as quickly as possible."
Opponents Palace should also enter Saturday's game in better spirits, having claimed a huge 1-0 victory over fellow relegation candidates Ipswich Town on Tuesday.
Head coach Oliver Glasner knows building on that win is now the name of the game, saying: "We had more chances to decide the game. We couldn't but the win was well deserved.
"It's a big win. Now it's not time to sit back and relax but to keep going.
"In four days we face Manchester City. We stay humble. There are still many things to improve but we are on the right path."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Crystal Palace – Jean-Philippe Mateta
Palace forward Mateta has scored on each of his last two Premier League appearances against City (two goals).
No Palace player has ever scored in either three games in a row against City or in three in a row against the reigning Premier League champions, but he will hope to do so after hitting the only goal in their midweek win at Ipswich.
Manchester City – Kevin De Bruyne
De Bruyne has been involved in four goals in his last four starts in the Premier League for Man City (two goals, two assists), both scoring and assisting against Forest last time out.
He has also had a hand in 12 goals against Crystal Palace in the competition (four goals, eight assists), only having more against Southampton (14).
MATCH PREDICTION – MANCHESTER CITY WIN
Palace have won just two of their last 18 Premier League games against Man City (four draws, 12 losses), and both of those victories have come at the Etihad Stadium (in December 2018 and October 2021).
They have also lost seven of their last nine home Premier League games against City, drawing the other two, since a 2-1 victory in April 2015.
City have lost their last five away games in all competitions, last losing six in a row back in February 1994. The last reigning top-flight champions to lose six away games in a row were City themselves during the 1968-69 campaign.
But despite City's struggles, the Eagles are big outsiders for this one. Having won five of their seven Premier League home games under Glasner last term (one draw, one loss), Palace have won just one of their seven at Selhurst Park this season (three draws, three losses).
Neutrals might be entitled to expect entertainment, though. Since Guardiola joined City in 2016, Palace have scored multiple goals against the Citizens in six different Premier League games – only Tottenham (nine) have done so more often in this time.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Crystal Palace – 20.7%
Manchester City – 56.5%
Draw – 22.7%
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