Harry Maguire has revealed that Manchester United are out for a measure of revenge over Liverpool following the hammering they suffered against their great rivals earlier this season.
United were on the wrong end of an absolute hiding from their fierce foes when they last faced off in October, with Liverpool running out 5-0 winners in a humiliating defeat at Old Trafford. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer managed to hold on to his job for a further month but the result still played a part in the Norwegian's eventual sacking in November.
Six months on from the embarrassment and United haven't got much better while Jurgen Klopp's side have gone from strength to strength. The Merseyside outfit haven't lost in the Premier League since the turn of the year and a win on Tuesday would see them overtake Manchester City at the top of the table for 24 hours at least.
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United go into the match in an awful run of form and with a depleted squad but still have a strong chance of finishing in the top four. Maguire has explained that the players are looking to get some payback but it won't be easy.
"Yeah for sure, like you say that was such a low point, the lowest point of the season, one of the lowest points of my career, and I'm sure the rest of the lads', without international football involved in that," the captain told Sky Sports when asked if United wanted to set the record straight.
"You don't need motivation to play in these games. It's such a big rivalry, when you join this club you know the rivalry, it's one of the biggest in the world. It's a game we've got to look forward to. We know we're going to have to play at our best to get something, and that's what we've got to prepare for."
After already lifting the Carabao Cup, defeating City to reach the FA Cup final, making it to the Champions League semi-finals and being neck and neck with the Blues in the title race, there is still a possibility that Liverpool could pull off a remarkable quadruple. Such an achievement has never been accomplished in England and doing so would surpass United's historical treble triumph of 1999.
Yet, when asked if trying to prevent that from happening was also a motivation for United, Maguire said that wouldn't be the case: "I don't think that's part of our motivation [stopping Liverpool's quadruple bid], to be honest.
"I think the motivation is going to Anfield, playing against Liverpool and winning a football match and getting three points for this club and the fans. The fans have stuck with us throughout this season, they turn up in their numbers wherever they go, they've been amazing in such a difficult season.
"For us to go to Anfield, perform well and get the three points, it would be a huge moment for us to give to the fans. So I think that's the big motivation for us."
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