Liverpool vs Man Utd: Match Preview & predictions
Liverpool vs Man Utd: Match Preview & predictions. League leaders Liverpool welcome fierce rivals Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday, aiming to further add to the misery of the Red Devils.
The Merseyside outfit produced an exceptional first half of the 2024/25 campaign and have tasted defeat just once under the new manager, Arne Slot. The Dutch coach has masterminded some remarkable form and has already recorded a convincing 3-0 win away at Old Trafford under his belt ahead of Man Utd’s visit.
Liverpool, who have won all but four Premier League games this term, are primed to take advantage of Man Utd’s low confidence and dire form, with Ruben Amorim already under pressure after losing six games in December. Such results have left his new side languishing in the bottom half.
Things could get much worse for the Portuguese coach on Sunday and Man Utd supporters – and perhaps players – will be fearing the worst heading to Merseyside. They haven’t won this fixture at Anfield since January 2016 and have conceded 11 goals in their previous three visits, including the infamous 7-0 humiliation in 2022/23.
Here’s our guide to the upcoming interesting Premier League encounter.
What time does Liverpool vs Man Utd kick-off?
Location: Liverpool, England
Stadium: Anfield
Date: Sunday 5 January
Kick-off: 16:30 GMT / 11:30 ET / 08:30 PT
Referee: Michael Oliver
VAR: Chris Kavanagh
Liverpool vs Man Utd H2H Record (Last Five Games)
Liverpool: 2 wins
Man Utd: 1 win
Draws: 2
Last meeting: Man Utd 0-3 Liverpool (1 September 2024) – Premier League
Liverpool team news:
Liverpool have been without the defensive duo of Ibrahima Konate and Conor Bradley in recent weeks but both returned to full team training on Friday.
“Conor and Ibou will train with us today [Friday] for the first time.,” said Slot in his pre-match press conference
“So, [I am] curious and interested to see where they exactly are, of course. They have worked hard to come back to the team but the next step is always, ‘How do you handle team sessions?’”
Liverpool’s only guaranteed absentee is Joe Gomez, who suffered a hamstring injury in the 5-0 win over West Ham United last time out. Slot has confessed that the defender will be sidelined for “a few weeks” at the very least.
Dominik Szoboszlai returns from his one-game ban and is likely to start in the attacking midfield role.
Liverpool predicted lineup vs Man Utd
Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Diaz.
Man Utd team news:
Man Utd welcome back skipper Bruno Fernandes and midfielder Manuel Ugarte from suspension after both served one-game bans during the dismal defeat to Newcastle United last Monday. The former is a particularly important returnee given the Red Devils have failed to score in their last three games.
Marcus Rashford’s future in Manchester is uncertain and the forward, who has a strong record against Liverpool, will miss the weekend through illness.
Victor Lindelof, Luke Shaw and Mason Mount are all sidelined with injury at present, while Jonny Evans could be absent having not featured in the matchday squad against Newcastle.
Man Utd predicted lineup vs Liverpool
Man Utd (3-4-2-1): Onana; De Ligt, Maguire, Martinez; Mazraoui, Mainoo, Ugarte, Dalot; Amad, Fernandes; Hojlund.
Liverpool vs Man Utd score prediction:
Mn Utd will feel trepidatious heading to Anfield given their woeful form and Liverpool’s obvious superiority, with recent trips to the red half of Merseyside painfully embarrassing. Amorim will be hoping for a statement performance from his side on the grandest stage but there is little evidence to suggest that he will be granted his wish.
Man Utd’s defence has been dreadful in recent weeks and they have been far too easy to slice through. Liverpool, who have scored 14 goals in their last three matches, are well placed to put a disorganised backline to the sword.
Three points is all that matters for Liverpool as they chase the Premier League title but a convincing win over their bitter rivals would certainly do no harm. Man Utd’s saving grace may be that their hosts have a Carabao Cup semi-final to worry about midweek.
