Liverpool Transfer News : Amorim on Liverpool: “They are better than us”

The Portuguese coach previewed Manchester United’s match against Liverpool, discussed Zirkzee’s current form, and talked about plans for the January transfer window.

In the lead-up to the match against Liverpool, Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim addressed the team’s current situation and stressed the need for change, stating that the team’s leaders must assert themselves.

“I think this isn’t just a problem for our team, but for all teams. If we want to be a top team, we need leaders. We have that in the locker room, but they need to step up and take the next step. We need the more experienced players to help the younger ones,” he emphasized.

Regarding the upcoming game, the manager admitted that Marcus Rashford will likely remain sidelined, but this time due to illness. Furthermore, he recalled the last match against Newcastle and emphasized the improvements that need to be made against the league leaders.

“Of course it’s a difficult moment, because we’re losing too many games and we’re going to face the best team this year, but, as I said, with training, we’ve prepared the team better and we want to improve our performance compared to the last game,” he said

“In football, anything can happen in a single game. If we’re talking about the season, the best always win. Right now, they’re better than us, but we can win any game,” he added.

Regarding Joshua Zirkzee, and the poor reception he received from fans when he was substituted in the defeat against Newcastle, and the subsequent news linking the Dutch striker to a transfer away from the club, Ruben Amorim downplayed the topic.

“His situation is the same as the other players’. He had this situation during a game, which is very difficult for any player, but it can happen. They understand that it’s part of football. Sometimes we’re in a good moment in our careers, other times things don’t go as we’d like. So, he’s focused, he trained very well, but we have to understand that sometimes players feel this lack of confidence and then, in the game, they have difficult moments. We have to move on and go to the next game,” he emphasized.

Regarding the possibility of increasing the number of midfielders on the field, Amorim explained that they try to adapt to all opponents. 

“I always adapt. We play most games with three defenders, and Bruno Fernandes was in a different position, but he was in midfield. Sometimes it’s not a big difference. I know people look at the three-man defense, but I don’t see the game that way. I adapt to each opponent, so I will do the same and with the same principles,” he shared.

Finally, the Portuguese coach was asked about possible reinforcements in the January transfer market: “Plans? I’ll keep that to myself. We’ll try to do something.”