Joe Gomez admits Liverpool must learn to withstand another early Manchester United whirlwind as they aim to avoid more Old Trafford disappointment.
The Reds will hope to negotiate a major hurdle in their Premier League title run-in when they make the short journey down the East Lancs Road to take on their bitter North West rivals on Sunday, just three weeks after they were beaten 4-3 in a dramatic FA Cup quarter-final.
United started strongly and went ahead during the opening exchanges, although Liverpool subsequently dominated led by the interval only to waste a number of chances to seal the victory before Erik ten Hag's men forced extra time.
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The Reds have conceded inside the opening 20 minutes on three of their last four visits to Old Trafford and Gomez believes they must address that shortcoming.
"I mean, they’re at home, I don’t think the atmosphere (and fans) would appreciate them playing a low block and sitting off so I’m sure they will be up for it and will come out at us, and it’s up to us to deal with that atmosphere and go for them," said the defender.
"The way it ended last time round in the FA Cup was pretty disappointing for us. We obviously had good phases in the game and we couldn’t see it out but, on to the next. It’s a different competition, we know we’ll have to bring momentum there, it’s a tough place to go and they are still a top team so we have to be at it and ready."
Of Liverpool's inability to turn their domination into more goals in the FA Cup tie, Gomez added: "Yeah, I think that’s the most frustrating aspect of it but it’s a reminder that we have to be ruthless and take our chances to see out games, and things can swing so quickly. So, hopefully we have control again and we can get in that position to punish this time."
With only eight games remaining, Liverpool went into the weekend round of games two points clear of Arsenal with champions Manchester City a further point adrift. And with the Reds also still in the Europa League, there could yet be a glorious end to the reign of Jurgen Klopp, who will leave as manager at the end of the season after almost nine years in charge.
"We’re obviously on a mission here and there is no time to dwell or rest on our laurels or think about where we’ve come this season," said Gomez, speaking to liverpoolfc.com. "It’s just about trying to see it out and getting what we can from it, which hopefully is the cream of the crop.
"I think the Premier League is obviously a massive target of ours and I think considering the scenario (with the manager leaving), we all know why we want to do it and I think it would just make it that much sweeter. Yeah, he obviously doesn’t emphasise that – ‘Do it for him!’ – but we know why we want to do it and we’ve all got that fire. We just need to see it out and give our all: that’s all we can do, and see where we land."
