Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has been forced to drastically change his pre-Liverpool plans just a matter of hours ahead of kick-off.
The Red Devils host their historical rivals at Old Trafford on Monday evening aiming to finally get the Dutchman’s spell at the club underway. They have so far lost their opening two matches of the season against Brighton and Brentford - and their assignment is not set to get any easier against Jurgen Klopp’s men.
The game is also set to take place on the backdrop of considerable planned protests by supporters against the much-maligned Glazer family and their ownership of the club.
That threat has seen United’s pre-match schedule be altered at short notice according to reports. As per the Manchester Evening News, the squad and staff were scheduled to all meet at The Lowry Hotel in Salford ahead of the game.
However, with some supporters already assembled around the hotel, the decision was taken to cancel the meeting amid fears over security. Instead, players could potentially meet at Old Trafford ahead of the game instead.
It is not the first time that a clash between Man Utd and Liverpool has been disturbed by the threat of protests. The behind-closed-doors meeting in May 2021 was postponed after supporters stormed Old Trafford and managed to break into the stadium.
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Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has suggested that if something similar happens this time around, his side should be handed the three points by default.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, the German said: "I really hope it will not happen but if it does happen I think we get the points.
"We have nothing to do with the situation and if the supporters want the game not happening, then we cannot just rearrange the game again and fit it in somewhere in an incredibly busy season.
"People tell us we are fine, we go there and play the game hopefully and go home. But in a situation like this, always the other team should get the points because they have nothing to do with it and they have prepared for it."
Whilst United have endured a disastrous start to the new campaign, Liverpool's opening few results have not exactly given cause for optimism. The Reds drew 2-2 with newly-promoted Fulham on the opening day of the season before being held by Crystal Palace at Anfield - summer arrival Darwin Nunez being sent off for a headbutt on Joachim Andersen.
Despite that, Klopp's men will be confident as they go up against their historical rivals having beaten United twice last term with a 4-win at Anfoeld alongside a 5-0 thumping at Old Trafford.
