Manchester United’s new manager Mauricio Pochettino could hardly have been handed a more difficult introduction to life at Old Trafford.
His first match in charge will be against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, November 22 – and there’s an interesting statistic that should give Reds supporters something to smile about.
Pochettino has not won at Anfield since September 2013.
That’s more than 13 years without a victory at Liverpool’s home ground, despite visiting with Southampton, Tottenham and Chelsea.
His only Anfield win came when he was Southampton manager, with Dejan Lovren’s own goal? No – it was a famous 1-0 victory secured by a Nathaniel Clyne goal in September 2013.
Since then, Anfield has been a very different experience for the Argentine.
Pochettino’s Anfield Record Makes Interesting Reading
During his time at Tottenham, Pochettino experienced some difficult afternoons against Liverpool.
There were defeats, frustrating draws and plenty of occasions when the Reds found a way to get the better of his side.
His Chelsea team also suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat at Anfield in January 2024.
The overall record is worth remembering, but the key statistic is simple: his last victory at Anfield came with Southampton in 2013.
Now he returns to Merseyside in very different circumstances.
This time, he won’t be arriving as the manager of Southampton, Tottenham or Chelsea. He’ll be leading Manchester United into one of the biggest fixtures in English football.
And Liverpool supporters will be hoping the Anfield hoodoo continues.
Pochettino Gets Very Little Time to Prepare
There is another interesting angle to this appointment.
Pochettino has been managing the United States national team and is due to complete his international commitments before beginning work at Manchester United.
He is expected to start at Carrington on November 18, leaving him only a handful of training sessions before travelling to Anfield.
That’s hardly ideal preparation for a match of this magnitude.
Of course, Pochettino is an experienced manager who knows the Premier League and understands what Liverpool are capable of.
But getting a new squad organised in such a short period is a considerable challenge.
United will need their experienced players to take responsibility, particularly in an atmosphere like Anfield.
Liverpool Must Make This Count
I’m certainly not taking anything for granted.
Manchester United have had their problems this season, but form can go out of the window when these two clubs meet.
Liverpool need to approach this game with the right attitude, intensity and aggression from the first whistle.
We’ve seen too many occasions when United have made life difficult for us at Anfield, and there is no room for complacency simply because they are struggling in the league.
Andoni Iraola will know how important this fixture is to supporters.
A victory would be a massive result, particularly with Liverpool looking to build momentum and establish themselves under their new manager.
Can Pochettino Finally Break His Anfield Hoodoo?
There is no escaping the fact that Pochettino has a difficult first assignment.
His only win at Anfield came 13 years ago with Southampton. Since then, he has returned with two other Premier League clubs without repeating that success.
Now he has to try to do it with Manchester United.
Personally, I would love nothing more than to see Liverpool extend that miserable record for him.
There’s no better way to welcome a new Manchester United manager than by giving him a defeat on his first visit to Anfield.
Let’s make sure Pochettino’s first game in charge of United is one he remembers for all the wrong reasons!
By Jamie (The Kopite View)
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