The Liverpool Echo has reported that the Scouse team will be able to bring a record number of fans with them to Old Trafford in the cup this time around, making United’s task that little bit harder.

“The Reds have been given an allocation of 9,211 for the showdown between the bitter North West rivals.

“It’s an increase on the 8,875 tickets Liverpool were handed for the FA Cup third-round meeting at Old Trafford in 2011, which United won 1-0 just a day after Roy Hodgson had been sacked as Reds boss.”

The last time Liverpool travelled to Old Trafford in the Cup, it was behind closed doors due to the coronavirus pandemic in January 2021. The Red Devils ran out 3-2 winners with a late Bruno Fernandes free kick sealing the club’s passage to the next round.

To get into the spirit, United have a fantastic record against their rivals at Old Trafford in cup competitions.

“Liverpool have played seven cup games in their history against United at Old Trafford, four in the FA Cup, and have triumphed only once in the first such fixture in January 1921.”

The match is huge for both teams but objectively it is more critical for Ten Hag than it is for Klopp.

Should the Dutchman knock out the old enemy and make it to another FA Cup semi-final, he will get some much needed breathing space, even if only for a short while.

However, were he to lose, combined with the poor form in the league, it could be curtains for the former Ajax man.

Let’s hope a record number of Liverpool fans will not be there to revel in that moment and instead, will make the short distance home with their tails tucked firmly between their legs.

Liverpool are once again being linked with Atalanta midfielder Teun Koopmeiners, with Juventus also interested.

Despite an extensive midfield build last summer that involved the departures of Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, James Milner and Naby Keita and the arrival of four new faces, the Reds continue to be linked with more signings in the centre of the park.

26-year-old Netherlands international Koopmeiners is a player who has regularly been touted as a potential Liverpool transfer target ahead of the summer window, with the Reds’ recruitment chiefs potentially still seeking further reinforcement at the base of midfield.

With his Atalanta side chasing Champions League qualification, Koopmeiners has been one of the stars of the season in a new playmaking role, weighing in ten goals and four assists in 31 appearances in all competitions so far.

Gazzetta dello Sport claim that the Reds are in ‘the front row’ for the Atlanta star who is also coveted by Serie A heavyweights Juventus. Curiously, the same wording used by a totally different report a few weeks ago.

KOOPMEINERS ASKING PRICE

The latest report adds that Atalanta, though they don’t need money from a sale, would want around €60m (£51m) from a deal, but could drop down as low as €50m (£42.5m).

This differs significantly from previous reports which have claimed that La Dea would seek a similar fee to the one they received from Manchester United last summer for Rasmus Hojlund — around £72m.

While the centre of the park may not be a priority area for Liverpool’s recruitment this summer, there could be a need for further additions capable of playing the ‘number six’ role, especially with the imminent exit of Thiago Alcantara who will be out of contract at the end of the season.

In addition, Anfield Watch has reported on the Reds interest in other midfield options such as Morten Frendrup (Genoa) and Martin Zubimendi (Real Sociedad).