Pogba Insists Man Utd Are Underdogs Heading Into Their Crunch Clash With Reds
Paul Pogba has moved to take the pressure off his Manchester United team-mates ahead of Sunday’s top-of-the-table clash with Liverpool by insisting they are still some way off their opponent’s level.
United have surged to the Premier League summit off the back of run that has seen them win nine of their last 11 matches, and they have the chance to move six points clear of Jurgen Klopp’s side with victory at Anfield.
Pogba has proven himself a pivotal cog in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s midfield of late, having finally returned to form, however he insists his side are still learning when it comes to what it takes to be the very best.
‘We have improved a lot, we keep improving but we still have a very young team,’ he said in an interview with Sky Sports.
‘Obviously we cannot say now we are at the same level as them because they won the Premier League and keep winning so the day we win – that is when we say we are at the same level.
‘If you want to be the best you have to beat the best. We want to beat the Premier League winners.’
Liverpool have been beset by injury problems at the back this season, with Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez two long-term injury concerns at centre back.
Their form has stuttered over the festive period, too, with draws against West Brom and Newcastle followed up by an alarming defeat at Southampton.
Despite the dip in form, though, Pogba insists United must be wary of their old rivals this weekend – with the Frenchman having never experienced victory against the red half of Merseyside.
‘We know how good they have been playing over the last few years – we know their quality and how they play. It’s always been a tough game.
‘We know how difficult it will be and we just have to focus and try to stay at the top.
‘I think we can win it if we keep our focus but there’s a lot of teams that can win it – we are not there yet, we are still very far.’