Manchester United suffered their worst ever season in Premier League history last year, with their total of 57 goals conceded the most they have conceded in a single campaign. As a result, it has perhaps been no surprise to see new manager Erik ten Hag look to strengthen his defence in recent weeks.
Tyrell Malacia became the Dutchman’s first signing after the left-back was signed from Feyenoord in a deal worth up to £14.7m at the start of the month, while he is set to reunite with Lisandro Martinez after the Red Devils agreed a £57m deal with Ajax for the centre-back over the weekend.
Given his significant fee, it would be a surprise if he wasn’t first choice ahead of Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Eric Bailly, Phil Jones, Raphael Varane and Axel Tuanzebe this season. After all, standing at just 5ft 9, the Argentina international won more aerial duels per 90 minutes than United captain last season.
READ MORE: Manchester United have just paid for Liverpool transfer
READ MORE: Raheem Sterling has finally paid the price for Liverpool exit
And by moving to the Premier League, when Martinez takes on Liverpool, he is set to again come up against one of the most difficult opponents he has faced in his career to date.
The Reds have revamped their attack this year after signing Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz and Fabio Carvalho, waving off Sadio Mane, Takumi Minamino and Divock Origi, and tying Mohamed Salah down to a new three-year contract. Meanwhile, the club are, according to reports, also wanting to offer Diogo Jota a new long-term deal.
Yet it is the one Liverpool forward whose long-term future at Anfield is currently uncertain, with his contract set to expire next summer, who, according to Martinez himself, has caused the Argentine most problems - Roberto Firmino.
The Brazilian started in attack for the Reds when they travelled to Ajax in the Champions League group-stages back in October 2020, with a Nicolas Tagliafico own goal earning Jurgen Klopp ’s side all three points. And despite being replaced along with Salah and Mane as part of a treble-substitution by the German on the hour-mark in Amsterdam, Firmino’s performance clearly left quite the impression on Martinez that night.
“In Europe I had to play against Firmino,” United’s latest signing told Ole last year. “And he is a very difficult striker to mark because he is constantly getting out of position.
“That generates confusion, you lose the reference... If you go looking for him, he takes you out of your position a lot. In addition, he is a player who moves very well and, on his back, with the ball, it is very difficult to take it away from him. He is very good.”
With Liverpool spending an initial £64m on Nunez this summer, Firmino admittedly faces a battle to win back his first-choice status in Klopp’s starting XI after an injury-plagued campaign last year. But should the Brazilian be given the nod against Manchester United and lock horns with Martinez once again, he’ll be looking to inflict an equally difficult night on his fellow South American.
READ NEXT
-
Jordan Henderson shares picture of Liverpool players from Andy Robertson wedding
-
Mohamed Salah handed 'new' Liverpool shirt number as Jurgen Klopp makes cold decision
-
'Disgraceful' challenge on Liverpool defender sparked Virgil van Dijk response and player apology
-
FSG truth emerges as £1.1bn black hole exposes big difference between Liverpool and rivals
-
Sadio Mane could follow Philippe Coutinho in discovering brutal Liverpool truth
