Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has been singing the praises of two of his key men, with Curtis Jones and Florian Wirtz earning glowing reviews ahead of Sunday's big clash at Old Trafford.

When asked about Jones' recent shift at right back, Slot didn't hold back on the compliments. "He did very well. Not perfect, which is completely normal, but very well," the boss said. "Especially when you consider he's hardly ever played there in his career. That he performs the way he does is a huge compliment. Against Palace, he was even better than against Everton—defensively, I mean. That makes sense, because you naturally improve the more you play in a position and get used to your teammates around you."

Slot also highlighted the midfielder's fearless approach. "What we always know about him is his personality. He's never afraid to play, never afraid to get the ball, and never scared to take a bit of risk. Maybe he needs to adjust that slightly, because taking risks in midfield is different from doing it in the last line. But it's also one of his biggest qualities—he can get himself out of tough situations. It might look like risk-taking, but the ball is usually in safe hands because he's so comfortable on it."

The conversation then turned to Florian Wirtz, who has been turning heads since his arrival. Asked if he expects more from the young star in bigger games, Slot was emphatic. "I don't just hope that—I'm 100 per cent sure he will. It's also a coincidence that we have three more games against top sides, so that gives him more chances to prove it. But for me, his development over the last 10 months is already clear and obvious. Just look at the 93rd minute against Crystal Palace—he made a duel on the line, won a throw-in, then sprinted 40 yards and smashed the ball into the top corner. That's the kind of quality and determination we're talking about."

With Liverpool heading to Old Trafford this weekend, both players will be eager to show exactly why their manager has so much faith in them.