Big Match Breakdown: Liverpool v Manchester United
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The rivals meet at Anfield this weekend
Liverpool and Manchester United are the two most successful clubs in English football. And they have one of the country’s most heated rivalries.
The Premier League will return with a bang when they clash at Anfield in Saturday’s early kick-off. Both sides will be desperate to get the win and the atmosphere will be at fever pitch.
Here’s all you need to know ahead of this weekend’s biggest game…
Head to Head
Honours have been fairly even between the two sides in recent years. Both sides have won one of the last five meetings, with the other three ending in a draw.
But it’s a different story at Anfield in league action. United have won three of the last five top-flight encounters there. Liverpool have only taken the bragging rights once at home in that period.
United have been in superb form recently and have racked up six consecutive wins. Jose Mourinho’s side are second in the Premier League and only behind Manchester City on goal difference.
In contrast, Liverpool have only won one of their last seven games in all competitions. Three points on Saturday would be the perfect way to get back on track.
The Likely XIs
Sadio Mane’s injury is a huge blow to Liverpool. Philippe Coutinho is the obvious candidate to replace him on the left, which gives Emre Can the chance to return in midfield.
Daniel Sturridge failed to impress against Newcastle United in Liverpool’s last game. Jurgen Klopp could restore Roberto Firmino to the starting XI as a result, even though he only returned from Brazil on Thursday.
For United, Marouane Fellaini suffered an injury while on international duty. That leaves Ander Herrera and Nemanja Matic as Mourinho’s only available central midfielders.
Key Battles
Ashley Young has started at left-back in United’s last three games. But he hasn’t come up against a right winger of Mohamed Salah’s quality. He isn’t a natural defender and could be exposed by the Egyptian if he’s not given support.
At the other end, Romelu Lukaku will be looking forward to facing a shaky Liverpool backline. On current form, he could dominate Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip.
The midfield zone is also key in what’s expected to be a tight game. United will be outnumbered in central midfield and Coutinho also likes to drift inside. To stop Matic and Herrera from getting overwhelmed, their attacking midfielders will need to put a shift in.
Match Odds
This is United’s biggest test so far this season. A win would send out a big statement about their title chances. However, Mourinho has only won one of seven previous matches against a Klopp side. And Liverpool are in desperate need of a victory themselves.
The last three games between these two have ended in a draw. This one could go the same way. The draw is priced at 9/4.
There haven’t been more than two goals scored in any of the five previous meetings. There could be value in backing the draw and Under 2.5 Goals at 13/4.
If anyone’s going to score, Lukaku is the most likely. He’s got 11 goals in 10 games since joining United this summer. The former Everton star is 7/2 as First Goalscorer.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
