Liverpool vs Man United Update – The two most successful clubs in British football, Liverpool and Manchester United, open another chapter in their long rivalry on Sunday in the Premier League clash of the weekend.
Jurgen Klopp’s men are the in-form side, while Jose Mourinho’s team are still struggling to hit their stride after playing 22 matches in all competitions.
The sixth-placed Red Devils have not beaten any side in the top five this season. They were spanked by Tottenham, subdued by rivals Manchester City, but shared the spoils with Chelsea and Arsenal.
Against league leaders Liverpool, who are 16 points ahead of them, Mourinho’s men cannot afford to falter again. They, indeed, have their work cut out for them.
But United should be confident ahead of this clash as the Red Devils have not lost in their last eight league meetings with Liverpool.
And for them to lay down the marker, they must beat a side that have not lost in the league this season. This must be done at Anfield of all places.
“I’m going to try [to win],” he said. “We know that we are going to play against the leader, against a team on a high. But we have our qualities, we have our potential, and even with the problems we have and the doubts in terms of team choice, of tactics, approach, philosophy,” Mourinho said at his presser on Friday.
As for Klopp, the Reds will be ready for what he called an ”intense game.”
He said: “I know it will be a very intense game and we will be ready for that.
“This week we reached a big target in the Champions League, we had one day to feel the relief of that. Since yesterday (Thursday) we are back on track. I’m really looking forward to it. Big one.”
Team News
Liverpool have defensive issues to think about as Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez are all out injured.
James Milner could take the place of Alexander-Arnold at right back, while Nathaniel Clyne may return having not played since September.
Meanwhile, Marcos Rojo joined a list of United’s sidelined defenders during Wednesday’s defeat to Valencia and looks set to miss out along with Victor Lindelof and Alexis Sanchez. Chris Smalling, Diogo Dalot, Anthony Martial, Matteo Darmian, Luke Shaw and Scott McTominay are all also likely to miss out.
Opta stats you need to know
- This will be the 201st meeting between Liverpool and Manchester United in all competitions, with the Merseysiders winning 65 and suffering 80 defeats (55 draws).
- Manchester United are looking to win back-to-back league games against Liverpool for the first time since January 2016, when they won four in a row.
- Liverpool are winless in their last eight Premier League games against Manchester United (D3 L5) – they haven’t gone longer without a win against the Red Devils in league competition since April 1988 (12 games).
- The last two games between Liverpool and Manchester United at Anfield have finished level (both 0-0) – only once previously have these sides drawn three consecutive games in all competitions on Merseyside (in January 1921).
- This is the most points Manchester United have been behind Liverpool in the league table before Christmas since Christmas Eve 1990 (16 points), while it’s the most points Liverpool have been ahead of Manchester United ahead of a top-flight meeting between the sides since March 1990 (21 points).
- Liverpool are currently on their joint-best Premier League unbeaten run (17 games). They last had a longer run in the top-flight between March-November 1990 (23 games).
- Liverpool haven’t conceded more than once in any of their last 19 Premier League games (seven conceded in total), their longest such run in the top-flight since a run of 38 between April 1978 and April 1979.
- Manchester United have conceded 26 goals in 16 Premier League games this season – just two fewer than they conceded in the whole of 2017-18 (28 in 38).
- Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has won 50% of his Premier League away games at Anfield (4/8); the best win percentage among managers with 5+ such games in the competition.
- Liverpool’s attacking trio of Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane are all yet to score or assist in a Premier League game for the club against Manchester United (combined total of 855 minutes played).
- Manchester United’s Juan Mata has been involved in seven Premier League goals against Liverpool (3 goals, 4 assists), including three in his three at Anfield. Only against Newcastle (8) has the Spaniard been involved in more goals in the competition.
- As well as being the joint-top scorer in the Premier League this season (10), Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah has scored the opening goal in more Premier League games (7) and the winning goal in more Premier League games (6) than any other player this term.