Can Mo Salah inspire Liverpool to victory over Man United?

Sean Byrne
1 May 2021

Nobody at Liverpool has discussed a new contract with me, says Mohamed Salah

With Liverpool embroiled in a fight for the top four, Mo Salah will be hoping to lead his side to victory over Man United this weekend.

As a prolific goalscorer for Liverpool in recent years, it may be surprising to hear that Mo Salah doesn't have the best record against Man United.

With just one goal in six appearances against them in the Premier League, Salah will be hoping he can turn this around as his side travel to Old Trafford this weekend.

Last weekend the Egyptian's early opener against Newcastle was not enough for all three points as Joe Willock grabbed an equaliser for the Magpies deep into added time.

Their opponents this weekend are unbeaten in their last seven games across all competitions and currently sit comfortably in second in the Premier League table.

Tip of the Fixture

This game could go either way but following his goal last weekend, Skybet are offering decent odds of 23/10 for Salah to score and Liverpool to win.

Key Stats

Both clubs are considered the two most successful in English history, with Man United holding 66 major trophies and Liverpool holding 65.

Seven of their last 11 meetings have ended in a draw.

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah

Salah has featured seven times against Man United, however he failed to score in first four of those meetings.

Here, we take a closer look at the last three times these two faced each other, and how the winger performed:

Liverpool 2-0 Man United (Anfield - January 19, 2020)

Jurgen Klopp's men got a vital win at home against Man United in their title-winning season, with Salah securing it at the end with his first ever goal against the Red Devils.

It was Virgil van Dijk that opened the scoring after just 14 minutes. He rose above the United defence to head in following a delicious Trent Alexander-Arnold corner.

The first half concluded with both sides having squandered opportunities, but perhaps the biggest chance wasted came in the second half from Salah.

A low ball into the area from Andy Robertson found the forward who just needed to make solid contact to find the back of the net. Instead, the winger couldn't sort his feet out in time and ended up dragging the ball wide.

However, in added time Salah did break his goalless streak against the North West rivals. With Man United pushing every man forward, they were caught on the break and Salah found himself with a simple one-on-one that he calmly finished.

It wasn't quite a 'Man of the Match' performance from Salah, however he was prominent in attack with four shots at goal and creating a number of other chances.

Liverpool 0-0 Man United (Anfield - January 17, 2021)

In the reverse fixture this season Liverpool were lucky to salvage a point as Salah and the rest of the attack failed to make any impact whatsoever.

In truth, if it wasn't for a heroic second half performance from goalkeeper Alison, then Liverpool would've suffered their first defeat at home to Man United since 2016.

Receiving one of the lowest match ratings on Whoscored.com with 4.82, Salah never troubled the United backline and was practically non-existent alongside Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane.

Not only that, but their failure to find the net meant that it was the first time Liverpool hadn't scored at Anfield in the league in 43 matches.

It was certainly a game to forget for Salah, but luckily enough he had the chance to make up for this a week later in the FA Cup...

Man United 3-2 Liverpool (Old Trafford - January 24, 2021)

A week after the goalless snooze-fest at Anfield, the FA Cup fourth round did not disappoint. Salah scored a brace but it was not enough for Liverpool to progress in the competition.

It was Salah who broke the deadlock after 18 minutes as he chipped Dean Henderson following a piercing through ball by Firmino.

Man United turned the tie round through Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford. However, in the second half Salah brought his side back level as he beat Luke Shaw to a loose ball and slotted into the bottom left corner.

Bruno Fernandes won it for Solskjaer's men with a curling free-kick, but for Salah it was probably his strongest performance against Man United and was also the last time he bagged himself a brace.

This weekend Salah will be hoping he can capitalise on this performance and help his side take all three points away from their bitter rivals.