Manchester United vs. Liverpool: Ten Hag’s redemption story?

Poetry speaks as Manchester United are set to face Liverpool for the penultimate time of the season in a game that could be Ten Hag’s redemption story.

Manchester United and Liverpool facing off against each other will also be a big fixture in English history no matter where it is played or when it is played. There is a lot of rivalry, pride and glory in this fixture that somewhat has a say on how the season inadvertently turns out for whichever side comes out on top.

It is quite a different story to say Liverpool taking on Manchester City or any of the top 6 sides for that matter. There is bad blood, there is politics in games between Manchester United and the red half of Merseyside, and despite it being an FA Cup tie, different narratives face both teams.

This tie is the final cup game that pits Jurgen Klopp as manager against Manchester United, who according to the German were never a side he thought much of during his time in England as Liverpool manager.

For Erik ten Hag though, the web and the shadow of his statement when he was confirmed as manager of the Red Devils, still haunts him to present, with rival fans wondering when his new dynasty will take over the ending reigns of Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola at the top.

Well, arguments can be made for Klopp who is set to depart at the end of the season, which of course, makes this fixture and perhaps the one in the Premier League in April, a lot more personal.

The Dutchman made it to two finals last season, only to be nicked off one of the trophies by neighbors, Manchester City at Wembley. This season however, the Red Devils’ form has paled in reflection to last season, with a lot of United fans already eyeing his exit as manager.

But football is a game of moments and despite the online narratives that fans may churn out via the media, or that pundits may indulge them in, today’s FA Cup quarter final could serve as the redemption arc that Erik ten Hag could possibly use if he is able to soil Jurgen Klopp’s final season at Liverpool.

There is even the poetry of Jurgen Klopp losing his first ever game to Manchester United in his debut season at Liverpool, or that Klopp’s last meeting with the Red Devils in the FA Cup had resulted in a 3-2 defeat courtesy of a Bruno Fernandes free kick in the 2020/21 season.

Hence, if nothing else is going to speak much about the game, the poetry and narratives behind it could be the inspiration and the redemption story Erik ten Hag would want to end this season with. Beat Liverpool, end their quadruple dreams, leave a stain in Jurgen Klopp’s final season with the Reds and of course, win back the Manchester United supporters.