Erik ten Hag and Jurgen Klopp urged supporters to bring an end to 'tragedy chanting' ahead of Sunday's Premier League clash.

Liverpool host their great rivals Manchester United at Anfield, with the hosts looking to boost their top-four hopes and United keen to build upon last weekend's EFL Cup victory.

In previous years, fixtures between the two sides have bear witness to chants and online abuse based around tragic events in the history of both clubs – Hillsborough, Heysel and Munich.

Looking to bring an end to those incidents, both managers have issued a plea to their supporters.

"The rivalry between Manchester United and Liverpool is one of the greatest in world football. We all love the passion of the fans when our teams meet, but there are lines that should not be crossed," Ten Hag said.

"It is unacceptable to use the loss of life — in relation to any tragedy — to score points, and it is time for it to stop. Those responsible tarnish not only the reputation of our clubs but also, importantly, the reputation of themselves, the fans, and our great cities.

"On behalf of myself, our players, and our staff, we ask our fans to focus on supporting the team on Sunday, and representing our club in the right way."

The message was echoed by Klopp, saying: "One of the main reasons why the rivalry between Liverpool and Manchester United is so special is that it is so intense and no one should ever want to change this. But at the same time when the rivalry becomes too intense it can go to places that are not good for anyone and we do not need this.

"We do want the noise, we do want the occasion to be partisan and we do want the atmosphere to be electric.

"What we do not want is anything that goes beyond this and this applies especially to the kind of chants that have no place in football. If we can keep the passion and lose the poison it will be so much better for everyone."

United enter Sunday's clash third in the Premier League standings and 10 points ahead of Liverpool.

RB Leipzig midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai has five goals and 13 assists in 31 appearances this term.

The 22-year-old's talent has not gone unnoticed, and he is sure to have plenty of potential suitors.

Szoboszlai is contracted with Leipzig 2026, but the latest reports suggest a move is coming sooner rather than later.

TOP STORY – CHELSEA SET TO AGREE SZOBOSZLAI DEAL

Chelsea are on the verge of securing the signing of Leipzig midfielder Szoboszlai, according to TuttoMercatoWeb.

The Blues have been linked with the Hungary international for the past 12 months, but the report claims they are close to securing a deal.

Negotiations have become advanced, with the two parties "very close", and an agreement is likely to be reached in the next few days.

ROUND-UP

– Marcel Sabitzer is likely to make his loan move to Manchester United permanent, claims Sky Sport's Florian Plettenberg. Bayern Munich have already identified a replacement in the form of Konrad Laimer.

– Leipzig's Josko Gvardiol  could "soon" head to the Premier League, according to Calciomercato, offering a boost for English trio Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham.

– Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has identified Juventus midfielder Manuel Locatelli as his main transfer target, reports Fichajes.

– Italian trio  Milan, Inter and Juventus are all monitoring  Roberto Firmino's situation at Liverpool following reports he will exit the club at the end of this season when his contract expires, claims Football Italia.

– Sport claims Newcastle United are plotting a move for Barcelona winger Raphinha . The former Leeds United man has not made a huge impact since his move to Camp Nou.

– Wilfried Zaha will exit Crystal Palace as a free agent at the end of this season, with Arsenal and Chelsea among those leading the pursuit to sign him, reports talkSPORT.

After a few dark years – by their standards – Manchester United appear to be re-entering the light, with last weekend's EFL Cup triumph their first trophy win since 2017.

It may not be the most desired silverware in England, but when a club so accustomed to winning begins to see dust gathering in the trophy cabinet, any tangible representation of success isn't to be sniffed at.

But Erik ten Hag said it best on Tuesday ahead of Wednesday's FA Cup defeat of West Ham: "Get back to work."

Given United's significant improvement under the Dutchman, there's every reason to believe the EFL Cup won't be their only trophy of the season – they're arguably still alive in the Premier League title race, a Europa League last-16 tie with Real Betis awaits, and they will be huge favourites against Fulham in the FA Cup quarter-finals.

The Premier League is the one, however, and if they are to pull off a remarkable turnaround to win it for the first time in 10 years, slip-ups from this point are unthinkable.

A trip to Anfield probably isn't what they want then, is it?

The drought

Granted, the 2022-23 edition of Liverpool is the Reds' poorest in several years, with Jurgen Klopp's side in a real fight for Champions League qualification.

But, for United, there will be something of a psychological barrier to break when they go to Merseyside on Sunday.

United haven't beaten the Reds at Anfield in the Premier League in over seven years, with their last victory there being a 1-0 win in January 2016.

They have suffered three defeats and claimed as many draws at Anfield in that time, making it their longest winless run away to Liverpool in the league since a streak of nine between 1970 and 1979.

It's been a generally one-sided rivalry in recent years, with Liverpool avoiding defeat in eight successive league games against United before this season.

Their clash at Old Trafford in August ended that run of course – had it not, nine matches without a win would've been United's worst ever run against a single team in Premier League history.

Nevertheless, United's most recent trip to Anfield will have left wounds that run deep.

The last visit

Having already lost 5-0 at home to Liverpool in the 2021-22 season, there was almost a feeling things couldn't get worse for United at Anfield last April.

In terms of the scoreline, they didn't. Technically a 4-0 defeat is better than a 5-0 loss.

But the stats painted a particularly harrowing picture for United after their second meeting of the season, which in itself was hugely one-sided.

The nine goals conceded over the two games was the most United had ever shipped against one team in a single Premier League campaign.

Furthermore, the 9-0 aggregate loss was the second worst in their entire league history, with only an 11-0 deficit to Sunderland in 1892-93 – yes, the 1890s, not a typo of the 1990s – being a greater margin.

Liverpool cut United open as early as the fifth minute, with Mohamed Salah laying the ball on a plate for Luis Diaz to tap in.

Sadio Mane then found Salah with an exceptional reverse pass for the Egyptian to make it 2-0 in the 22nd minute, before a fine first-time finish from the Senegal star midway through the second half had the Reds home and dry – if they weren't already.

Salah wrapped things up with a deflected chip, becoming the first player in Premier League history to score five goals against United in a single season after his hat-trick at Old Trafford.

Liverpool were then fully immersed in a bid for a quadruple having already won the EFL Cup.

This time around, remarkably, it's United in that position – they'll be hoping to at least match Liverpool by adding one more title before the season's conclusion.

The turning point

Matches against Liverpool have proven particularly poignant during Ten Hag's short association with United.

He was officially announced as the club's new manager two days after that Anfield hammering last April, and four months later he got his first win in charge against the Reds.

That's not to suggest his hiring was intrinsically linked to the loss to Liverpool – after all, reports had suggested for weeks prior that he was the primary choice. But there was a perception at the time that the club brought forward the announcement after that loss to ease fan concern.

Then, things started to go right for him and United with August's galvanising 2-1 win at Old Trafford.

United had, of course, lost their first two games of the season. Their humiliating 4-0 loss to Brentford on matchday two saw them end a day bottom of the Premier League for the first time since August 1992, Ten Hag becoming the only Red Devils manager to lose his two opening games in charge in 101 years.

But with expectations as low as could be, Ten Hag made his mark. Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire were dropped, and United went on to win 2-1.

Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford got the goals before Salah's late consolation, with United showing promising signs with their attacking fluidity.

Since then, only leaders Arsenal (54) have amassed more points than United (49) in the Premier League.

It all started against Liverpool.

The present

For the Reds, the top four remains absolutely attainable – though United presumably feel the same way about winning the title, even if Arsenal are 11 points ahead (having played a game more).

Stats Perform's supercomputer reckons United have only a 2.2 per cent chance of usurping the Gunners and Manchester City, however, which puts such ambition in the 'about as likely as Ralf Rangnick being re-hired' region – Liverpool, the model says, have a 28.4 per cent likelihood of getting fourth.

In that respect, a positive result arguably looks more important for United, if you can really put a number on such things.

But even if a league title proves unattainable, beating Liverpool in their own backyard would see Ten Hag break down another major barrier for Manchester United, bringing them a step closer to the light.

Manchester City watched rivals Manchester United win their first trophy in six years last weekend, but that EFL Cup final success had no impact on Pep Guardiola's men.

Man United defeated Newcastle United – City's Premier League opponents on Saturday – 2-0 at Wembley to mark a new high point in Erik ten Hag's impressive debut season at Old Trafford.

Ten Hag's side are still in the FA Cup, like City, and the Europa League, while their form has encouraged talk of an unlikely Premier League title bid.

City will hope to stand in their neighbours' path, but Guardiola had a short response when asked if Man United's victory meant anything for his team.

"No, nothing," he replied.

Guardiola was similarly terse in swatting away questions on comments from Erling Haaland's agent and LaLiga chief Javier Tebas.

Rafaela Pimenta, Haaland's representative, had described Real Madrid as a "dreamland" for players, while City critic Tebas has weighed in on the Premier League investigation into the club's alleged financial breaches.

Guardiola was more interested in discussing Newcastle, who are winless in four in the league and suffered Wembley heartbreak but remain in Champions League contention in fifth place.

Having been battling relegation last season, Guardiola said: "[The progress] is incredible. What happened last season and this season making the step forward, it looks like they came to stay here.

"From what I've seen lately, even the final against United, and what they have done all season, it is one of the toughest opponents we have until the end of the season for their quality.

"They can do everything – experience, the threats, the transitions, [at] set-pieces the best team in the league. There are many, many things. That's why they are there for a long time this season."

Erik ten Hag challenged Manchester United to "make it our game" and take a significant step in their development by beating Liverpool at Anfield.

The United manager is certain his players will be undaunted by a fiery atmosphere, a week on from winning the EFL Cup and ending a near six-year trophy drought.

Liverpool's Premier League form is improving, after a dismal start to the year, and United's hosts have a top-four finish in their sights again.

That is the bare minimum target for United though, given they are in with an outside chance of the title.

Results at Old Trafford have been outstanding, with United dropping just four points there since a season-opening defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion, but on the road, against the elite clubs, wins have been hard to come by.

United lost 6-3 at Manchester City in October, went down 3-2 at Arsenal in January, and were held 1-1 at Chelsea prior to the Blues hitting the skids and falling away from the top-four battle

Now comes the Liverpool test, and Ten Hag said: "That is the next step we have to make then."

He took Ajax to Anfield in September 2020 for a behind-closed-doors Champions League game, at the height of the pandemic, but a full house awaits on Sunday.

"I'm looking forward [to it], I know the ambience, the atmosphere will be great. It will be hostile against us, and we like it," Ten Hag said.

"It is, of course, a test. But we're facing Liverpool and we're really looking forward [to it], I know these players, my squad, my team will be prepared to go and fight, to go with confidence, but we know it's going to be difficult.

"We know we have to suffer, we have to sacrifice to get a good result."

United beat Liverpool 2-1 at Old Trafford in August, a result that got them back on track after Ten Hag's sketchy start, and the Dutchman said his team have advanced to "a different process" since that game.

They have scored two or more goals in each of their last 12 matches, one game short of matching a club record in that regard.

Liverpool are unbeaten in their last six home league games against United (W3 D3) since a 1-0 loss in January 2016, but they face a resurgent team this weekend.

Despite this season's travails, Ten Hag expects Liverpool to remain a force, but United are a pace ahead of them for now and will be fancied by many to come away with the points.

"I think we are in a good direction with our philosophy, strategy and culture, and we have to keep getting progress, it's all about that," Ten Hag told a press conference.

"We face a fantastic opponent. It's all about us getting the right preparation to be ready for that game. We have to play and to make it our game."

United came from behind to beat West Ham 3-1 in the FA Cup on Wednesday, improving after a first-half display that displeased Ten Hag.

"Every day I demand the performance and I don't accept when it's low," he said. "I will criticise them and tell them what I expect, and I have to give the team solutions how to win the game, and the performance second half was much better."

There is a possibility of a quadruple, with United also still going in the Europa League, and Ten Hag sees no problem with his players lasting the distance.

"We like to play. We have energy from playing every third or fourth day, and we want to keep that going, but think about it game by game," he said.

"I think our mentality in general is very good. I think we have many leaders who set the mentality, who set the standards, who control the standards, who correct if necessary. 

"I think we are happy with this process, but we can always be better and that has to be the approach."

Jurgen Klopp has described Manchester United as a "results machine" and backed Liverpool's fierce rivals to compete all the way for the Premier League title.

United travel to Anfield on Sunday unbeaten in 11 matches and having lost only one of their 20 games since the World Cup break, winning 16 of those.

That run of form has propelled the Red Devils within 11 points of leaders Arsenal with a game in hand, while they ended a six-year trophy drought with a 2-0 victory over Newcastle United in the EFL Cup final last Sunday.

Indeed, no Premier League team has won more points than United (23) since the campaign resumed in December, which Klopp believes stands them in good stead to push for the title.

"They have turned into a results machine," Klopp said at Friday's pre-match news conference. "They are squeezing results out with some really good performances.

"They're playing some top football, and if it is not going so well for them they still get results. That's why they are there [in the table]. 

"Everyone knows it: they are fully in a fight to win the league. That's not really important for Sunday because we are there as well when we try to be at our best."

Marcus Rashford's goalscoring form has played a massive part in United's impressive first campaign under Erik ten Hag, particularly since the World Cup.

The England international has scored 10 goals in his past 10 league games, netting in each of his past five appearances, and has 25 goals for the season in all competitions.

Only Ruud van Nistelrooy (three separate runs), Eric Cantona (in April 1996) and Cristiano Ronaldo (in April 2008) have scored in six successive league games for United.

While reluctant to praise any players of Liverpool's biggest foes, Klopp says it is hard not to take some joy from Rashford's upturn in fortunes.

"It's pretty much impossible to be happy about something positive at Manchester United when you are the Liverpool manager, but I am really happy for Rashford," Klopp said.

"He had a very difficult last year where he was not performing on the level that he is able to perform. 

"I knew this would change again but sometimes in life we don't have enough time to change it. Now he is playing incredible. His speed, his technique – it is a mix of everything. 

"How calm he is in front of goal. He scores worldies, he scores the simple ones, he can put his head in. All these kinds of things.

"We have to defend against that collectively. He is not their only world-class player."

With one trophy in the bag, United are still competing for silverware on three further fronts, whereas Liverpool are now effectively just battling for fourth place in the league.

The Reds trail Real Madrid 5-2 ahead of the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie, but Klopp is remaining upbeat heading into some key fixtures.

"I said before last game, this is a week to give the season a proper push. Now we have to make the next steps," he said.

"Nothing is done yet which is good for us. We all know everything is possible in football. We need to use our crowd in home games."

Liverpool are unbeaten in six home league games against United (W3 D3) since a 1-0 loss in January 2016 – their longest run without defeat since a run of nine in the 1970s.

United will be confident of ending that run on Merseyside this weekend, but Klopp insists form will play no part in what remains one of the biggest fixtures in the game.

"They have had a better season so far but thank God it means absolutely nothing on Sunday," Klopp said. 

"We have to show it's still incredibly difficult to play against us. We have to make sure they realise that. I couldn't be less interested in what United are doing, I just respect it.

"It's what I enjoy most. Around these games we put ourselves out of this sometimes not so nice reality and dig into the game. 

"Football is the most important thing for 98 minutes or whatever. I love that. The whole world will watch it. I would watch it if I was not here.

"It's 'the game'. They are playing a much better season than us but that means nothing. It doesn't mean you win the game, it just means you have more points."

Trent Alexander-Arnold knows Marcus Rashford will be "difficult to stop" at Anfield on Sunday but the Liverpool full-back is relishing the challenge of facing in-form Manchester United.

Rashford has been outstanding for the resurgent Red Devils this season, scoring 25 goals in a new era under Erik ten Hag.

United travel to Merseyside on a high from winning the EFL Cup last weekend and coming from behind to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals with a 3-1 victory over West Ham – stretching their unbeaten run to 11 matches.

Rashford has 10 goals in his past 10 Premier League games and could join Ruud van Nistelrooy, Eric Cantona and Cristiano Ronaldo as the only Red Devils players to score in six consecutive top-flight encounters this weekend.

Alexander-Arnold is not surprised to see his England team-mate thriving as he prepares for a blockbuster showdown, with the sixth-placed Reds in need of a win as they strive to snatch a Champions League spot.

He told Sky Sports: "The only thing that's really changed is he's [Rashford] 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.

"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."

Goals from Rashford and Jadon Sancho gave third-placed United a 2-1 win over Liverpool at Old Trafford in August, but they have not won at Anfield since Wayne Rooney secured a 1-0 victory back in January 2016.

Chelsea will reportedly make a run at signing Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic at the end of the season after a troubling campaign for the Blues in front of goal.

Through 24 Premier League fixtures, Chelsea have only scored 23 goals, ranking them 14th overall and the lowest total of any side in the top 11.

Lacking a true number nine, and with it remaining unlikely that Romelu Lukaku returns from his Inter loan next season, Chelsea have been keeping a close eye on Vlahovic.

The 23-year-old, who arrived in Turin for a €70million fee in January 2022, has had an injury-interrupted first full season in Italy, with eight goals in 15 Serie A appearances.

While Massimiliano Allegri's side would likely prefer to persist with the tall frontman, who already has 10 senior international goals for Serbia in 19 appearances, the club's financial position could force their hand.

TOP STORY – VLAHOVIC EMERGES AS POTENTIAL ANSWER TO CHELSEA'S STRIKER DILEMMA

According to Football Insider, Chelsea are "desperate" to add a true striker, and view Vlahovic as one of three desirable Serie A targets.

They are also supposedly weighing up the possibility of bringing Roma's Tammy Abraham back to Stamford Bridge, while Chelsea will also test the availability of Napoli's Victor Osimhen, who is thought to be an unrealistic option.

The report adds that Vlahovic is one of the players Juventus may make available at the end of the season as they work to recover from financial uncertainty.

ROUND-UP

– The Times reports that Chelsea have reignited their interest in 21-year-old RB Leipzig centre-back Josko Gvardiol, who they are hoping to land for a fee cheaper than the £97m (€110m) release clause that will become active in 2024.

– According to Express, 24-year-old Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar has decided to snub Manchester United and will instead join Eintracht Frankfurt on a free transfer when his contract expires in July.

– Real Madrid are monitoring 25-year-old Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, although the Brazilian insists he is content with his current situation, per Mundo Deportivo.

– Sport reports that Madrid will be joined by rivals Barcelona in the pursuit of 28-year-old Manchester City centre-back Aymeric Laporte.

– According to the Daily Mail, Liverpool are considered the frontrunners to land 24-year-old Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount if he decides to not sign a long-term extension.

Harry Kane should leave Tottenham for Manchester United if he wants to win trophies in his career, former Red Devils full-back Gary Neville said.

England captain Kane has spent his entire career at Spurs despite regularly being linked with a move away over the years, most notably in 2021 when he was seemingly pushing for a move to Manchester City before agreeing to stay in north London.

The 29-year-old is having another productive season, having scored 18 goals in 25 Premier League games, but is yet to win a major trophy with Spurs, who were knocked out of the FA Cup by Sheffield United on Wednesday.

Speaking to Sky Sports News, Neville said Kane could look to move on at the end of the campaign as a result, and believes his former club are a realistic destination for the striker.

"Harry Kane is going to want to win trophies, I think," Neville said. "It's whether he sees it as being a case whereby he commits to Tottenham for his last five years and he does what some players have done.

"But if Harry is going to leave, I think now is the moment. He is a wonderful player, he's a great professional, and I think if Harry Kane could leave now, and you could get him an exit out of there to a club in Manchester probably, United or City, I think he would take that opportunity.

"It's more than likely not going to be City because of their [Erling] Haaland expenditure and what they've done with him, but Manchester United are desperate for a centre-forward.

"Chelsea, I can't see him going there. He's quite loyal to Tottenham and there's a big rivalry with Chelsea, so I don't see that happening, even though they do need a centre-forward.

"He's not going to go to Arsenal, because of the rivalry, so Manchester United is the only option in England for Harry Kane this summer.

"Bayern Munich have been mentioned. That could happen and I think Daniel Levy would be happier if he was to go internationally, so we could see that.

"But I think Harry, if he wants to win trophies, is going to have to leave Tottenham, because Tottenham do struggle with that aspect."

Neville also queried the idea of United signing another England international, Declan Rice, who was a part of the West Ham team who lost 3-1 to the Red Devils in the FA Cup fifth round on Wednesday.

"Obviously, Declan knows the position, but when I look at world-class holding midfielders, and players of that type, because Rice doesn't score or assist enough goals, so you're putting him into that category of more of a destroyer," he said.

"You've then got to be someone who I think is highly competent on the ball and linking play, and having that knowledge of the subtleties of getting on the ball from the back four.

"I personally feel, at this moment in time, that Declan needs to go and work under a different set-up, he needs to drive forward in his career, he needs to go and play at a different club.

"But for me, I wouldn't be spending £110million or £120m on Rice if I was Manchester United this summer. I would spend £50m-60m on Declan Rice, but I wouldn't spend the figures being reported because I feel in that position, I still feel like he's got a lot of growth."

Declan Rice's West Ham contract is due to expire next year and he has rejected fresh terms, prompting interest from rival English clubs.

Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City have all been linked with the 24-year-old England international midfielder.

But the Hammers have rated Rice at £100million, which would be close to a British-record transfer fee.

TOP STORY – CITY TAKE POLE POSITION FOR RICE

Manchester City are leading the pursuit to sign West Ham midfielder Declan Rice, reports TEAMtalk.

The report claims City have come into contention with a probable trio of off-season departures paving the way for the English champions to afford the move.

Kalvin Phillips, Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva are all potentially on the way out at Etihad Stadium as City contemplate a midfield overhaul.

ROUND-UP

– Fichajes claims Manchester City have placed an €80m (£71m) price tag on Portuguese midfielder Bernardo Silva, with Barcelona interested in securing his services. However, the report claims that valuation will likely price out the Blaugrana.

– Bayern Munich are set to hand Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting an improved contract from €5m a year to €10m including bonuses a year as part of an extension until 2024, reports Bild. The Cameroonian had been linked with Manchester United and Tottenham previously, and the deal may put to bed Bayern links with Spurs forward Harry Kane.

– Barcelona have been linked with Manchester City's Julian Alvarez lately, but Football Insider claims Real Madrid are also keeping tabs on the Argentinian forward as they look for depth behind Karim Benzema.

– Mundo Deportivo reports Real Madrid are tracking Benfica's 19-year-old defender Antonio Silva, although he is contracted with the Portuguese club until 2027.

– Manchester United and Atletico Madrid will battle it out to sign Roma forward Paulo Dybala, who has a €12m (£10.6m) release clause in his contract, according to Fichajes.

– Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar has declined Manchester United's advances and opted to sign with Eintracht Frankfurt, claims the Daily Express.

– Napoli are looking to secure Chelsea and Newcastle United target Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to a new deal until 2028 to ward off interest, reports Gazzetta dello Sport.

Harry Maguire and Wout Weghorst continue to impress Erik ten Hag, with the Manchester United manager praising the duo for their performances against West Ham.

The duo started Wednesday's FA Cup fifth round victory at Old Trafford, playing their part in a 3-1 comeback just days after lifting the EFL Cup against Newcastle United.

Club captain Maguire, who only featured for the final few minutes at Wembley, has been down the pecking order behind Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez under Ten Hag.

But the centre-back delivered an authoritative display that pleased the Dutch coach at Old Trafford, with Ten Hag happy to see him adapt to a right-sided role instead of his usual left.

"My way of playing, it is better," he said. "I prefer to have players with a lot of intensity [and] he had a good performance. He took the initiative in and out of possession.

"He was demanding the ball [and] he had some really good moments.I showed him a video [of his performances and of other players] on how to outplay opponents.

"[He must discover] how to have more of an impact. His skills are really high. For a centre-back, he has so many skills, and he has to use that."

Weghorst, who did start at Wembley and provided an assist for Marcus Rashford on Sunday, has come under fire for his own lack of goals since his arrival on loan from Burnley.

But the striker's work off the ball continues to please Ten Hag, having had a hand in all three of United's goals on Wednesday, including Nayef Aguerd's own goal and Alejandro Garnacho and Fred's late efforts.

"He was one of the best players on the pitch," he added. "He was involved and forced the own goal from the opponent. [With] Garnacho's goal, he was pressing. With the third goal, he [made] a good press and Fred scores.

"He is doing a very good job for the team. At the start of the season, Marcus Rashford didn't score every game, but I know that [the goals] will come for him. When he has the first goal, more will come."

Virgil van Dijk hailed "an important win" for Liverpool as they beat Wolves 2-0 at Anfield ahead of welcoming Manchester United on Sunday where he says they will "need a big atmosphere".

Van Dijk scored the opener as the Reds finally broke down their resolute opponents in the 73rd minute on Wednesday, heading in a Diogo Jota cross before Mohamed Salah made the points safe with a second four minutes later.

Liverpool move up to sixth in the table, while the Dutchman has now scored 20 goals in the Premier League, the most of any central defender in the competition since he joined Southampton from Celtic in 2015.

"An important win, so it's time to recover and focus on the next one," Van Dijk told Premier League Productions. "Of course [we had to be patient]. I think we see the games we played against them this season, they have been quite tough and today it wasn't any different so we had to be patient and wait for the moment."

Liverpool face an in-form United at home on Sunday, and Van Dijk is in no doubt as to how difficult the game will be, which is why they will need the fans' help.

"I think we need a big atmosphere on Sunday," he said. "I think today obviously it was quite nervous and hopefully on Sunday we can get everyone in their best – including us, because we obviously have to do the hard work on the pitch against an in-form Man United. So, we will recover now and we will be ready for Sunday of course."

Speaking at his post-match press conference, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp also looked forward to Sunday's game, saying: "I think Man United is the team in form at the moment, maybe together with Arsenal and [Manchester] City are [also] doing well.

"The teams up there are all in a pretty good moment and I didn’t see yet the line-up [for United’s FA Cup win over West Ham] but maybe they changed quite a few? That means some of them will be a bit fresher than us, but it's a home game and it's Anfield.

"I thought Anfield proved a point tonight again, it was super, super-enjoyable. It felt like a proper unit, we were all together – I loved that. That's what we need again on Sunday, but of course it will be difficult.

"Again, if you face United at the weekend whichever result you've had before, either way you have to strike back or whatever, but now we have to use it for our general situation. We have to build on the performance and on the result – and we try everything to do exactly that."

Klopp was also pleased with the performance of Van Dijk, as well as the rest of his team's defensive showing as they recorded a fourth clean sheet in a row in the league.

"Yeah, we all need that [performance] and [Van Dijk] needs that as well and it's obviously a really good one, in a tough game for defenders," Klopp said. "I thought we performed tonight, we played a really good game in general.

"But I really think the centre-halves and Fabinho together, how they covered that area, how they denied the counter-attacks, how they defended into midfield, which is very important against a team who play with one striker. I thought they did really well."

Erik ten Hag hailed Manchester United's resilience and refusal to panic after reaching the FA Cup quarter-finals with a 3-1 comeback victory over West Ham.

United were far from their best just three days after ending a six-year trophy drought with Sunday's EFL Cup triumph over Newcastle United.

A Nayef Aguerd own goal cancelled out Said Benrahma's opener for the industrious West Ham at Old Trafford, before United battled through to the last eight on Wednesday.

Alejandro Garnacho curled past Alphonse Areola in the 90th minute and Fred added a late strike, with Ten Hag acknowledging United may have suffered from an EFL Cup hangover.

The United manager told ITV: "It was not easy, it is never easy after you win a cup and celebrate, then you have to get back to business as usual that was our task and finally we found a way to win.

"The resilience and belief they were going to win was magnificent."

Garnacho was a constant threat down the left-hand side for Ten Hag's hosts, going close twice in the first half before delivering a moment of brilliance in the dying stages.

The 18-year-old danced in from the left flank before whipping past Areola into the bottom-right corner, ending West Ham's spell of resistance after Aguerd offered United a route back into the fifth-round tie.

"You could see he was growing into the game and taking players on, he was difficult to stop and he was really a threat," Ten Hag said of Garnacho.

"It was a great goal but I think it was the total set-up for the last 30 minutes. I had a strong feeling we could win the game, you could see the belief and composure, there was never any panic."

United will next host Fulham in the competition, a clash that Ten Hag described as "difficult" against a team that "are playing really well".

Ten Hag's men will have to improve if they are to reach the semi-finals as captain Harry Maguire suggested United caused their own problems against David Moyes' visitors.

"We made it hard work for ourselves. We were poor in the first half, we have got to start better than that," the England international told ITV.

"We conceded a soft goal but it is an amazing reaction and we kept fighting and it really felt like it was coming."

Maguire joined Ten Hag in lauding Garnacho, who impressed in a rare start, with the in-form Marcus Rashford named among the substitutes amid six United changes against West Ham.

"Garnacho is very good, he is a young boy with amazing talent, he has got the world at his feet if he works and trains hard like he is at the moment," he said, before adding: "The best teams never stop believing.

"I am not saying we are one of the best teams yet, we have a lot to do but we are getting there, we are taking steps forward. We have a philosophy, we were really trying to score. It felt like the Stretford End was sucking the goal in at the end there."

Manchester City will reunite with club legend Vincent Kompany when they face Burnley in the FA Cup quarter-finals, while Manchester United will host Fulham.

Pep Guardiola's top-flight champions eased past Bristol City 3-0 on Tuesday, while United backed up their EFL Cup success with a 3-1 comeback victory over West Ham.

City will face former defender Kompany, who lifted four Premier League titles at Etihad Stadium, after being drawn at home to runaway Championship leaders Burnley following their late 1-0 win against Fleetwood Town on Wednesday.

United ended a six-year trophy drought on Sunday by defeating Newcastle United and will continue their quest for further silverware when they host Fulham at Old Trafford.

Fourth-tier Grimsby Town remain the shock package in this season's FA Cup after Premier League Southampton fell to a 2-1 home loss and became the Mariners' fifth victim from a higher division in the 2022-23 campaign.

The League Two side's reward will be a trip to in-form Brighton and Hove Albion, who edged past Stoke City 1-0 in the fifth round on Tuesday.

Sheffield United were another surprise winner in the last 16 of the competition, defeating Tottenham 1-0, and will host Blackburn Rovers, which ensures at least one Championship side will reach the semi-finals.

All ties are set to be played between March 17 and 19 with the quarter-final contestants one win from a trip to Wembley.

FA Cup quarter-final draw in full:

Manchester City v Burnley

Manchester United v Fulham

Brighton and Hove Albion v Grimsby Town

Sheffield United v Blackburn Rovers

Alejandro Garnacho and Fred scored late goals as Manchester United backed up their EFL Cup triumph with a 3-1 comeback win over West Ham to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals.

Erik ten Hag's side lifted their first major trophy since 2017 by defeating Newcastle United on Sunday and followed up that success with another victory at Old Trafford three days later.

United made six changes from the Wembley showpiece and fell behind after Said Benrahma's 54th-minute strike, but a Nayer Aguerd own goal restored parity 23 minutes later.

Garnacho edged United ahead in the 90th minute before Fred sealed victory to send United into Wednesday's last-eight draw, still in pursuit of further silverware.