Adrian Clarke has singled out Manchester United defender Harry Maguire as a player who can frustrate Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday.
The former Arsenal man highlighted the effect Maguire has had on the Red Devils as something that could disrupt Liverpool and their impressive winning run, claiming Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have improved dramatically in defence.
In a report on the official Premier League website, Clarke referred to Maguire as an imposing figure in the heart of the defence for his new side.
“The England international has been a strong, calming presence,” he wrote.
“The England man will be a huge threat to Liverpool from dead balls this Sunday.”
Liverpool travel to Old Trafford on Sunday, with other key figures for Man United such as David De Gea and Paul Pogba sidelined for the home side [Sky Sports].
OPINION
Maguire hasn’t exactly set the world alight with his performances since moving for a world-record fee for a defender in the summer. He has quietly gone about his business alongside Victor Lindelof and has kept the likes of Tammy Abraham and Jamie Vardy quiet when they have travelled to Old Trafford. The step-up in competition will be massive against Liverpool with Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane, and Mohamed Salah performing at a different level right now. Maguire has helped improve his side’s defence this season, who have faced considerably fewer shots and shots on target according to the Premier League, the fifth-best in the league to be precise. The former Leicester man also delivers a big threat in the final third, with him having the most touches in the opposing box of any defender in the Premier League. Liverpool will surely be aware of Maguire and his presence in the Red Devils’ team, but the England international must prove he can do the business when facing a ruthless Reds, something which is must harder to do at this moment.
