3 things Liverpool must do to avenge FA Cup defeat against Man Utd

Liverpool are preparing to make their second trip to Old Trafford this season on Sunday afternoon, but they will need to make some improvements from their last visit.

The Reds fell to an agonising 121st minute defeat against Manchester United in mid-March, losing 4-3 after extra-time in a thrilling FA Cup quarter-final clash. While that match-up was significant for Jurgen Klopp's side, this weekend's meeting is even more important.

Liverpool are still hunting just a second Premier League title this season but will have to fight tirelessly with Arsenal and Manchester City until the final game of the season. Dropped points this Sunday could be devastating.

Here are three things Liverpool must do to avenge their recent FA Cup defeat at Old Trafford.

Be more clinical

It may seem silly to suggest that Liverpool's issues at Old Trafford were in the final third given they netted three against Man Utd in the FA Cup clash, but two of those were deflected efforts, with the Reds guilty of wasting some incredibly promising openings.

As the game became more stretched in the second half, Liverpool were able to create overloads in the Man Utd half as the hosts committed more bodies further forward. However, decision making from the likes of Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo left a lot to be desired, as the Reds regularly made the wrong pass in the key moment.

It's a 'simple' fix that is actually incredibly tough, but making more coherent decisions in and around the Man Utd penalty area could be decisive. After all, if Liverpool had played with their typical cutting edge in the final third in March, they may well have booked a semi-final trip to Wembley.

Play with more caution

Extra time was ultimately where Liverpool came unstuck at Old Trafford and they only had themselves to blame come the full-time whistle. Even when in front during the additional period, the Reds committed plenty of bodies forward, while Nunez was guilty of gifting the ball to Man Utd in the build-up to the hosts' equaliser.

Even in the 121st minute Liverpool committed a mass of bodies forward for a corner, with Harvey Elliott's poor effort to play the ball back into the box after Man Utd's clearance proving costly. Amad Diallo sprinted down the pitch with barely anyone near him and slotted the winner beyond Caoimhin Kelleher.

While Man Utd remain in crisis after another horror show at Chelsea on Thursday night, they are still a team full of expensive talent. Liverpool's gung-ho approach late in the game at Old Trafford was their downfall, especially teamed with their attacking profligacy.

Take advantage of defensive injuries

The positive news for Liverpool is that Man Utd are facing a defensive injury crisis ahead of their visit, with the likes of Tyrell Malacia, Luke Shaw, Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof all sidelined. Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans may join them in the treatment room, while Casemiro is also a doubt just in front of the defence.

If Man Utd are without several of their key defensive performers, Liverpool simply must take advantage. Nunez up against Harry Maguire already seems like an interesting battle, while Mohamed Salah will be hopeful of continuing his excellent record against the Red Devils when facing Aaron Wan-Bissaka at left-back.

Liverpool's attacking players need to take advantage of disarray and uncertainty in United's back four, with Alexis Mac Allister likely to be a chief creator in central areas. Ten Hag's side concede a ridiculous amount of shots no matter their opponent, with the Reds needing to punish a backline low on personnel and confidence.

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