Jesse Lingard apologised for Manchester United’s “embarrassing” loss at Liverpool as the attacking midfielder underlined the need to regroup and increase intensity ahead of the crunch clash with Arsenal.
Saturday’s 3-2 win against Norwich, coupled with results elsewhere, injected new life into the Red Devils’ top-four hopes, only the Ralf Rangnick’s men to be brought back to earth with a bump at Anfield.
Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah scored in a remarkably comfortable first half, with the visitors failing to have a shot on goal against their bitter rivals.
United upped the ante after the break only for Sadio Mané to strike superbly before Salah wrapped up a 4-0 win, just six months after Jurgen Klopp’s Reds ran out 5-0 victors at Old Trafford.
Those results highlight the gulf in quality between the clubs, with Liverpool pushing for the quadruple while the Red Devils scramble for Champions League qualification as they prepare to face Arsenal.
Asked if Saturday’s match at their top-four rivals is now a must-win game, Lingard told MUTV: “”Yeah, it’s another free hit.
“”We’ll go there with the mindset of winning, staying on the front foot, being intense, doing the basics and having that energy to go and win the game.
“”We need to work hard first before you can start playing, so win the individual battles and then we’ll win the game hopefully.””
Lingard, who came on as an early substitute for injured Paul Pogba, added: “”Every time I put a United shirt on, I want to give 110 per cent, bring that energy to the team, the pressing.
