Liverpool vs Manchester United – Match preview and team news | OneFootball

English football’s most successful clubs go to battle today as Liverpool host Manchester United.

Sunday’s hosts are five points clear at the top of the Premier League table, with two games in hand over nearest challengers Arsenal.

According to Liverpool manager Arne Slot, Joe Gomez is “not in a good place” with the defender set for a spell on the sidelines with a hamstring injury. However, their defensive options have been bolstered after Ibrahima Konate and Conor Bradley took part in training this week. Dominik Szoboszlai is available again after serving a one-match ban against West Ham last weekend.

Manchester United are having their worst season in decades and wallow in 14th position. The recently unexiled Marcus Rashford hasn’t made the squad due to illness. Victor Lindelof is following concussion protocols while Mason Mount and Luke Shaw continue to struggle with injuries.

However, Ruben Amorim is able to call upon midfielders Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte following suspensions. Fernandes was banned after receiving a red card against Wolves while Ugarte had accumulated five yellow cards.

Liverpool vs Manchester United – Match preview and team news

Form

Liverpool: DWWWW

Liverpool are about to reach the halfway point of their league campaign and sit comfortably at the summit of the Premier League table.

The Merseyside club annihilated West Ham away from home last weekend in a 5-0 thrashing in East London. Mohamed Salah added another goal and two assists to take his tally to 20 goals and 17 assists for the campaign. That victory preserved their unbeaten away record. They have won seven and drawn twice in nine games on their travels.

Alongside their success on the road, no team has picked up more than their 22 points at home. The Reds dominate several metrics, as they have scored the most and conceded the least goals in the entire Premier League.

Manchester United: WLLLL

Manchester United sit just seven points above the relegation zone heading into this clash with their rivals.

They have lost three successive league games with Newcastle, Wolves and Bournemouth all defeating Ruben Amorim’s side.

The Portuguese tactician will be concerned with the manner of the losses, after the Red Devils failed to score in any of those games.

United haven’t lost four league games in a row since 1961 but will have to cause an upset to stop that unwanted statistic from being broken.

Last Meeting: Manchester United 0-3 Liverpool, Premier League, 1st September 2024

It was a one-sided affair back in September with Liverpool winning 3-0 at Old Trafford.

The hosts were given a reprieve inside seven minutes when Trent Alexander-Arnold’s goal was disallowed by VAR. Mohamed Salah was marginally offside in the build-up which interrupted United’s attempts to clear their lines.

But after more sloppy midfield play from Erik ten Hag’s outfit, Liverpool made them pay. Ryan Gravenberch passed to Salah who clipped an inviting ball towards the back stick onto the head of Luis Diaz.

Shortly after, Casemiro lost possession and the mistake proved costly once again. It was the same combination as the first goal. Salah fired into Diaz who found the bottom corner to put the visitors in control.

Alisson was called into action after the interval when the Brazilian pushed out Joshua Zirkzee’s measured attempt.

Liverpool sealed the three points shortly after when Salah deservedly got himself on the scoresheet.

Kobbie Mainoo was the culprit this time for being too complacent on the ball as Alexis Mac Allister picked his pocket. Dominik Szoboszlai then found the Egyptian who buried past Andre Onana with an instinctual first-time finish. Liverpool held firm to keep a clean sheet and embarrass their rivals at Old Trafford.

Predicted Lineups

Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Diaz.

Manchester United: Onana; Yoro, Maguire, Martinez; Mazraoui, Ugarte, Mainoo, Dalot; Amad, Hojlund, Fernandes.

Who is the referee?

Michael Oliver will be the match official. He will be assisted by Stuart Burt and Lee Betts while Craig Pawson will be the fourth official. The VAR will be Chris Kavanagh and he will be assisted by Dan Robathan.

What channel will Liverpool vs Manchester United be on?

Liverpool vs Manchester United will be available to watch on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Ultra, Sky Go UK and NOW UK.

What time is kick-off?

Kick-off at Anfield will be at 16:30 GMT on Sunday 5th January 2025.

Odds

Liverpool: 3/10

Draw: 5/1

Manchester United: 15/2

Read – One ideal signing for each Premier League club this January

See more – Five Premier League players who need a move in the January transfer window

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