Manchester United will make the short trip to Merseyside as we take on our arch-rivals Liverpool in Sunday’s afternoon clash. The Red Devils will look to banish the painful memories of the last time at Anfield when we were beaten 7-0 in a truly awful performance, and 4-0 the season before. United haven’t won at Anfield for over 7 years!
Both teams competed in Europe midweek where they suffered defeats and now will want to correct the mistakes made in those games against Bayern Munich and Union SG respectively.
A chance at redemption
United exited the Champions League on Tuesday evening as Kingsley Coman’s strike in the 71st minute condemned us to our fourth defeat in the group stages and thus finished bottom of the group. Even if we had secured the win against Bayern Munich, it would have not mattered as FC Copenhagen’s win over Galatasaray meant we fell short of even securing a spot in the Europa League by finishing third.
There will be no European football for the Reds in the second half of the 2023/24 season. This should allow manager Erik Ten Hag to reverse our ailing fortunes in the Premier League. The team was subjected to boos at full time after the humiliating 3-0 defeat against Bournemouth at Old Trafford last Saturday.
That result leaves United five places and ten points away from our rivals. It has been over two years since we last had a win away from home over a top-eight side in the table, which was when former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær masterminded a 3-0 victory over Tottenham back in October 2021.
Manchester United Team News
The treatment room has gained more players as both Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw came off during the first half against Bayern with both suffering from hamstring injuries. Whilst Shaw and Marcus Rashford who had been out due to illness are expected to return for the Liverpool game.
Meanwhile, Maguire has been confirmed as out alongside Anthony Martial (illness), Mason Mount (calf), Jadon Sancho (club suspension), Amad Diallo (knee), Christian Eriksen (knee), Lisandro Martinez (foot), Casemiro (thigh) and Tyrell Malacia (knee). Victor Lindelof may make the match-day squad after suffering a knock.
Bruno Fernandes is suspended and with Mason Mount still injured, this will give the opportunity to either Kobbie Mainoo or Hannibal Mejbri to earn a place in the starting eleven.
Manchester United Predicted Lineup
Opposition Preview
Liverpool currently sit top of the Premier League table as they head into the biggest clash in English football history. They are set to break their attendance record on Sunday when a portion of the extended Anfield Road end will be opened to spectators. Jurgen Klopp has never been a fan of the Saturday 12.30pm kick off. They had been set disappointment last weekend at Selhurst Park when Jean-Philippe Mateta had put Palace ahead.
Mohamed Salah’s 200th Reds goal and Harvey Elliott’s superb effort saw the Reds completed their comeback. With Arsenal dropping points against Aston Villa, it means that they sit at the summit ahead of the Gunners by one point and two ahead of the Villains.
Liverpool suffered a 2-1 defeat in their final Europa League group stage on Thursday against Union SG. The result did not have any significant bearing as they had secured their place in the last 16 of the competition already. They are currently on seven game winning run at Anfield and will be looking to extend that run on Sunday.
Liverpool Team News
A number of the senior players were left out for the travelling squad for the Europa League defeat against Union SG including Mohamed Salah, Alisson Becker, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold. In terms of injuries, Joel Matip (ACL), Stefan Bajcetic (calf), Andrew Robertson (shoulder) and Thiago Alcantara (hip) are due to return at some point during 2024. Diogo Jota’s muscular injury will keep him out for a further few weeks whilst Alexis Mac Allister’s knee injury will not see him play against the Red Devils.
Form Guide
Manchester United Premier League form: WWWLWL
Manchester United (all competitions): WDLWLL
Liverpool Premier League form: DWDWWW
Liverpool form (all competitions): DWWWWL
Prediction
Whilst United have had an extra two days recovery after their European exploits, Liverpool had rested several of their big stars in the defeat at Union SG. The Red Devils will want to avenge the embarrassing 7-0 defeat last time at Anfield. Confidence is pretty low amongst the players given the recent run of form in the league and exiting the Champions League midweek. We are more likely will set ourselves up not to lose and be happy to take a least a point from the game if not all three.
Liverpool 1-1 Manchester United
