Manchester United vs Liverpool Preview: Counter attacks, recoveries and more – what do the stats say? | OneFootball

The Premier League plays host to one of the biggest fixtures in English football this weekend as Liverpool take on arch-rivals Manchester United in a crucial game at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Manchester United have drawn plenty of criticism under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and have a massive point to prove this weekend. The Red Devils are currently in sixth place in the Premier League standings. Liverpool, on the other hand, have been in sensational form and have been one of the best teams in England this season. Jurgen Klopp’s side are only one point behind league leaders Chelsea at the moment.

With only one point from the last nine on offer in the Premier League, sixth-placed United are five points below leaders Chelsea and could very well drop further down the rankings depending on the result when Liverpool pay a visit to the Theatre of Dreams.

Liverpool will definitely play more attacking football and will try to score the first goal. Manchester United can take advantage of this fact and attack the Liverpool goal on the break. United have attempted 4.37 counterattacks per game and with the pace of Greenwood, Rashford and Ronaldo, they can move from one end of the pitch to the other in no time.

Manchester United have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last ten Premier League matches at Old Trafford. They have won the lowest number of defensive duels and have failed to win the ball back from the opposition. This has been one of the major concerns for United under Ole as they have had defensive lapses in each game even if they are winning. It was also seen last week against lecture, as their captain Harry Maguire was to blame for a couple of goals they conceded.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has revealed Bruno Fernandes is one of three fresh injury concerns for Manchester United ahead of Sunday’s welcome of Liverpool. It’s safe to assume Fred and Marcus Rashford are the other two as both came off with knocks against Atalanta in midweek. Fred is the most likely of the three to miss out.

Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 18 matches in the Premier League and are the only unbeaten team in the league this season. Liverpool have scored the highest number of goals in the league and have an average xG of 2.36 per 90 minutes. They have been highly effective in front of goal and have the ability to dismantle any defence they face.

Liverpool play a high pressing style of football and press their opponents in their own half which builds more pressure on them. Liverpool have the highest number of recoveries in the final third and have completed 18.02 recoveries per 90 minutes. When Liverpool win the ball in the opposition half, it gives them the chance to begin an attack from the same position and can get a man advantage. Manchester United have been trying to build their attacks from the back, but Liverpool will not give them the freedom to do so.

Manchester United have been under pressure to get positive results and will try to stop the rampant Liverpool. Although, Liverpool have been virtually unstoppable under Jurgen Klopp this season and will be intent on maintaining their unbeaten streak this weekend. Mohamed Salah is in the form of his life at the moment and will want to make the most of his purple patch on Sunday.

Manchester United possible starting lineup: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw, McTominay, Pogba, Greenwood, Fernandes, Rashford, Ronaldo.

Liverpool possible starting lineup: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson, Henderson, Fabinho, Milner, Salah, Firmino, Mane.