Erik ten Hag

Liverpool v United: Ten Hag's team news update

Friday 03 March 2023 12:30

Erik ten Hag has provided a new update on the fitness of Jadon Sancho and Luke Shaw, ahead of Manchester United's visit to Liverpool on Sunday.

The pair were both involved in last Sunday's Carabao Cup final triumph over Newcastle United, with Shaw featuring for the full game and Sancho entering the fray as a second-half substitute.

However, neither player appeared in Wednesday's 3-1 Emirates FA Cup success against West Ham United at Old Trafford.

Prior to that game, Ten Hag confirmed Luke had a small injury, while Jadon was kept out due to illness.

Part one: Erik's Liverpool press conference Video

Part one: Erik's Liverpool press conference

Press conference part one | Ten Hag recalls his Anfield visit with Ajax and gives a fitness update on two players...

However, the manager is now hopeful that it will just be a one-game absence for the England internationals and that they will be fit for our clash with the Merseysiders.

“I think we will have players back,” Erik told journalists on Thursday. “Yesterday Luke Shaw was not available, so we expect him back.

“Sancho was ill, but we will have to wait and see how that develops but I think [he could be available] as well."

Those should be the only two returning players to the squad for the weekend, with Christian Eriksen (ankle) and Donny van de Beek (knee) still long-term absentees.

Anthony Martial is working hard to recover from the hip issue which has kept him sidelined since the beginning of February.

The 27-year-old will be an important player for Ten Hag when he does return, having scored six goals in 14 appearances this season, but the boss is keen to give him time to properly heal following his latest setback.

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“You need emotions but all your other skills as well. I am always looking forward to this game. It's THE game. It's massive,” Jurgen Klopp told reporters at his pre-match press conference.

“The last few years we did quite well. They are having a much better season than us but it means nothing.”

The German also ruled three first-team players out of Sunday’s fixture and had a kind few words to say about Marcus Rashford.

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