Ten Hag to renew Slot rivalry

The Manchester United boss will face his fellow Dutchman for the first time since Slot replaced Jurgen Klopp in the Anfield job. The second occasion will be at Old Trafford next month in the Premier League (Sunday 1 September, 16:00 BST).

This clash between English football's greatest rivals takes place in South Carolina, starting at 00:45 BST on Sunday morning, with the action live on MUTV.

While Slot came out on top when his AZ Alkmaar team faced Ajax in the 2019/20 season, winning 1-0 and 2-0, the recent head-to-heads between the Dutch tacticians have gone Erik's way.

Traditional foes Feyenoord and Ajax contested a 2-0 triumph for the visitors at De Kuip before an entertaining 3-2 success for Ten Hag's men in Amsterdam at the Johan Cruyff Arena in 2022.

Ajax twice came from behind, with Reds winger Antony scoring an 86th-minute winner, only to be shown two yellow cards in the closing stages. One for taking his shirt off in celebration, the other for timewasting. Lisandro Martinez also participated in the game. The victory for the leaders helped them on their way to lifting the Eredivisie title.

Liverpool have played the same two opponents that the Reds have faced in the United States. Slot's side overcame Real Betis 1-0 in Pittsburgh, courtesy of a first-half goal by Dominic Szoboszlai.

While United were beating Betis in San Diego, the Merseysiders defeated Arsenal 2-1 in Philadelphia. All the goals came in the opening 40 minutes, with Mohamed Salah and Fabio Carvalho giving Liverpool a two-goal advantage, before Kai Havertz pulled one back for the Gunners.

In a recent interview with Netherlands-based newspaper AD, Ten Hag said: "We’ve played against each other before, of course, but I think that’s really great. Also for Dutch football, for our coach training.

"I think the fact that there are now two Dutch managers at the helm at Liverpool and Manchester United is fantastic for our football.

"It is fantastic what Arne has achieved at Feyenoord, how he has helped that club get back on track, and the football that Liverpool prefers to play also suits Arne Slot completely. I think it’s a very good match."