Man Utd starlet makes bold Anfield claim before Liverpool match - with one big problem

Liverpool are set to host Manchester United at Anfield this Sunday, hoping to extend their impressive nine-year unbeaten streak at home against their arch-rivals. Over the last 10 encounters on Merseyside, the Reds have claimed five victories and drawn five times, with the most memorable clash being their 7-0 demolition of the Red Devils in March 2023.

The last time United tasted victory at Anfield was way back in January 2016. Wayne Rooney netted a late winner as Jurgen Klopp took charge in the fixture for the first time, having assumed the role of Liverpool manager just months prior in October.

Following Liverpool's recent three-game losing streak, United will be keen to capitalise and break their dry spell. However, one of their ex-players has his own upcoming battle with Liverpool to anticipate later in the season.

Angel Gomes, who moved to Marseille on a free transfer from Lille last summer, is gearing up to go head-to-head with the Reds in the Champions League in January. Arne Slot's team journey to the south of France for their penultimate league phase match.

The England international has already made seven appearances for the French side, netting one goal, with three of those games taking place at Stade Velodrome. Having also played there twice as a Lille player, Gomes has experienced enough to rank it among the top three stadiums in Europe.

"When you play in the Champions League and you get good results, everyone sees it," he told Le Phoccen. "Here, it's really special. The connection between the fans, the players, the club.

"In England, of course, we breathe football. But in Marseille, it's something unique. And to understand that, you have to come here, go to the Velodrome, see it, feel the atmosphere.

"Only there do you understand what Marseille is, especially if you compare it with England. Personally, I think the Velodrome is one of the best stadiums in Europe, in the top three."

When pressed further, he confessed he regards it as superior to grounds like Anfield and St. James' Park. "Personally, yes, (it's a better atmosphere than Anfield and St. James' Park)," he said.

"I've played in those stadiums, but the Velodrome... you have to be there to understand." Admittedly, Gomes has every right to his view. And as a fresh arrival at Marseille, he'll naturally want to impress both on the pitch and beyond.

Nobody can question just how spectacular the Velodrome truly is. However, there's a significant problem with Gomes' assertion.

He's never actually featured at either Anfield or St. James' Park. His nearest opportunity to play at Liverpool came last season in the Champions League whilst with Lille, yet he remained on the bench as an unused substitute in January.

Similarly, an unused substitute appearance at Newcastle with Manchester United in October 2019 represents the extent of his involvement at St. James' Park. Despite making 10 appearances for the Red Devils, only three of these were starts - all in the Europa League

Eight of his matches were against English teams, with six games at Old Trafford, one at West Ham's London Stadium and one at Yeovil Town's Huish Park.

Additionally, he made a brief appearance as a substitute for Lille in a Europa League match against Aston Villa in April 2024. He also represented England twice at Wembley in the Nations League, playing against Finland and the Republic of Ireland.

This sums up his experience in senior football at English stadiums. While it's often said that you have to be at the Velodrome 'to understand', the same could be said about Anfield and many other English football stadiums that Gomes has yet to play at.

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