Van Persie: These games are what you dream of
Robin van Persie says he always relished playing in matches with an added edge, ahead of Manchester United’s trip to face Liverpool.
The Reds icon spent three years at Old Trafford between 2012 and 2015, and within a month of his arrival hade made his mark on this fixture, by scoring a decisive late penalty to ensure a 2-1 win at Anfield in September 2012.
Although he had played at Anfield many times before then, for his former club Arsenal, that win was Robin’s first experience of this mammoth fixture in the United calendar, and in a somewhat similar position this weekend is fellow Dutchman, Erik ten Hag.
Erik, too, comes into this one with prior experience at Anfield, having taken his Ajax side there in the Champions League late in 2020, but Sunday’s clash will provide his first taste of the derby between the north-west giants on Merseyside.
United's 2-1 triumph over Jurgen Klopp’s side at Old Trafford in August was Ten Hag's first competitive win as our manager, and he brings his players to Anfield for the 16:30 GMT kick-off today (Sunday), looking to emulate that success.
Van Persie: These matches are why you play
Robin van Persie says that Liverpool v United is the sort of fixture he relished during his playing days...
In an extract of our upcoming big interview with Robin, he spoke about fixtures such as Liverpool v United, and how he relished the magnitude of these matches.
“Well, I like it [the pressure] because I sort of grew up with a similar feeling with Ajax and Feyenoord, I always liked it,” he said.
“I actually prefer to play those games than the so-called smaller ones. This is what you play for as a player, this is what you dreamed of as a kid.
“Although I was in that fast train and it was all very busy and hectic, I always had a moment of like, ‘This is why I wanted to be a footballer,’ especially those games and one of those occasions.”
Our former striker also recalled his first experience of playing at Anfield for the Reds, and the challenges the stadium and atmosphere present for players.
“Yeah, it’s a very difficult place to play, Anfield,” he added. “But [it is] a beautiful place as well from a player's point of view.
“It’s so much fun to play in a beautiful stadium, when the fans are on top of every single action. I did score that goal, I think with my penalty, which I had to wait five-six minutes before I was allowed to take it, so it was a tough one.
“It wasn’t the most beautiful game, but it was intense. Yeah, of course, to get a win there and to play a role is always good in those big games.”
Matchday Q&A | Ten Hag on Liverpool (A)
Erik discusses our rivalry with Liverpool and explains how United are 'more effective' now...
Approaching Anfield with an 11-match unbeaten run, which has included nine victories, Robin believes that United fear no opponent, meaning the sides above us in the Premier League table will continue looking over their shoulder for the remainder of the campaign.
“Now Manchester United is in reach, when Arsenal or [Manchester] City make a mistake, then you are there to take advantage of it,” he continued.
“I do believe that everyone believes and feels that this Manchester United team can beat any team in the world. And that is what you want, from everyone’s point of view.
“You want to compete with the best and stay in the hunt. That’s key until the end of the season and I’m sure they will do that.”