Jamie Carragher names biggest difference between Old Trafford and Anfield as Liverpool players sent stark warning

Jamie Carragher named the biggest difference between Old Trafford and Anfield.

Manchester United will be looking to bounce back from their dismal and dramatic 4-3 defeat to Chelsea when they welcome bitter rivals Liverpool to Old Trafford on Sunday.

Liverpool’s midweek 3-1 victory over Sheffield United saw them return to the Premier League summit, two points clear of Arsenal and three points ahead of last season’s champions Manchester City.

Ahead of the game, former Liverpool defender Carragher explained the difference between playing at Anfield and Old Trafford.

Carragher wrote in the Telegraph: “It is one of those stadiums where you feel the weight of history as soon as the game kicks off, sense a different vibe trying to get through the 90 minutes, and never feel comfortable, no matter what the score.

“Usually the Anfield fixture is hyped up for the atmosphere, as though it is more difficult for United players going there than the other way around. I can assure you it works both ways.

“Where Anfield is compressed and can feel like an oppressive arena for United players when the crowd is at its best, Old Trafford feels bigger – almost like Wembley – where there are so many spaces for United players to exploit. You could never switch off for fear the momentum of a game could change in an instant.

Liverpool play Man Utd at Old Trafford on Sunday (Getty)

“And when the tide turns the legs get heavier and it feels like you are helpless when the home players and fans smell blood. Old Trafford is one of those places where many players freeze.

“It does not matter how terrible one side or the other is performing in the weeks going into this game. We have seen it enough times now to understand that at home Manchester United and Liverpool always have the capacity to find an extra yard of pace, more intensity for every tackle, and more determination to guarantee they leave nothing on the pitch.

“The home fans will always bring extra noise. I am sure United regulars who attended the FA Cup win will agree it felt like they were watching a different side in a different stadium to what they have witnessed most, if not all, this season.

“When all those elements come together, there is a belief based on so many era-defining examples that no difficulty cannot be overcome.”

Topics: Manchester United, Liverpool, Premier League, Anfield, Jamie Carragher, Football

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.