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I have just one thing to say about Erik ten Hag sacking - Liverpool did their homework well

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag
-Credit: (Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images)


It's felt inevitable for some time but Manchester United have finally decided to part company with Erik ten Hag and all I can say is: "Thanks for the memories, Erik!"

That 7-0 win at Anfield back in March last year is something that will live very long in the memory. I've never seen anything quite like that and, in a way, I'm actually a bit gutted he's going. Manchester United, though, are absolutely nothing to do with us.

They've had a really poor start to the season and are currently 14th in the Premier League table, so we don't need to worry about them at the moment.

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We’re miles ahead of them on the pitch and they have plenty of issues to sort off it. We just have to go about our own business and let them got on with it.

What it does show, though, is how well Liverpool have done to replace Jurgen Klopp with Arne Slot. Of course, it's still very early days but at the minute it looks like the club did their homework well.

Slot has come in from Feyenoord and done really well, although there are plenty of tests still to come. He hasn’t brought any of his own players in yet so it will be interesting to see what happens when he’s allowed to put his own stamp on the team. At the moment, he's got Klopp's squad playing in the way that he wants them to which is really impressive.

When you consider how many managers Manchester United have gone through since Sir Alex Ferguson left, it's not easy to replace a legendary coach, so Slot and Liverpool have done well so far.

Liverpool must focus on next game

The game against Arsenal at the weekend was Liverpool’s biggest game of the season so far and there will be plenty of other big games to come in the next few weeks.

But, in football, the most important game is always the next one and so Liverpool just need to focus on Brighton in the Carabao Cup and then again in the Premier League at the weekend. Their new manager has done pretty well and their away form is excellent, probably better than their home form in truth.

We have to remember what Nottingham Forest did to us at Anfield and remember that we can’t take anything for granted. Brighton are dangerous and if we win either of the games this week, it will likely be a hard-fought victory.

It will be very interesting to see what team Slot puts out at the Amex on Wednesday. Brighton aren’t in Europe so they’ll have a really strong team. I expect Arne will make some changes, with the likes of Jarell Quansah and Cody Gakpo coming in.

We’ve got a really good squad so we should have enough strength in depth to be able to field a good team. I know the Carabao Cup is the lesser of cup competitions but I really enjoyed the final against Chelsea last year.

The way we won it, with the kids coming in for all the injured players, was amazing. It was one of the most special cup finals I’ve been to. The fans always love a trip to Wembley so, even though Liverpool might have bigger priorities this season, you can’t take the competition lightly.