Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp already knows that his team has important matches to play in the English Premier League and that's why he rested most of his first team players today in their UEFA Europa League defeat at Royale Union Saint-Gillois. Liverpool will begin their very busy schedule of the festive period when they host Manchester United in the English Premier League this weekend and considering the performance of both teams since he start of the season, many people are backing Liverpool to defeat Manchester United in that very crucial game.
Liverpool and Klopp actually learned painful lessons in the past two seasons. Two seasons ago, they wanted to win four titles and chased them till very last weeks of that season but failed. The pain occurred one season after that (the past season), when Liverpool players were exhausted, not fully recovered and they got many injuries which are serious harmful for their performances. Liverpool struggled in the past season and failed to end it in top four.
I believe they did learned from their experience and no longer want to waste energy for non important beauty football when they can simply use a second team for it.
Erik Ten Hag's Manchester United have been shambolic and poor with their performance both in the league and in the UEFA Champions League. But I think they still they have a little chance against Liverpool to at least get a draw in that game
Manchester United and Ten Hag had to go home, focus on Premier League and try to play well to join Champions League again. Completely leaving Europe tournaments looks to be good news for them as if they continue to play in Europa League, they will not be able to win it but it can damage their performances in Premier League.