Liverpool vs Man Utd tips and predictions: Jurgen Klopp’s side can pick a number against reeling visitors
- George Dempsey
- 15 December 2023
Liverpool will hope to make the most of Sunday’s Premier League meeting with injury-hit Manchester United at Anfield (1630 GMT).
Liverpool will stay top of the Premier League table with a win against Manchester United this weekend, putting a healthy 13-point wedge between the sides.
The home side will be expected to record a comfortable victory but it’s impossible to write off an upset so long as the grass is green and the ball is round.
Then again, Man Utd could lose 1-0 to Liverpool on a pitch with no nets. In recent seasons, the Reds have beaten them 7-0, 5-0 and 4-0.
Last season's debacle at Anfield should provide plenty of motivation for Erik ten Hag’s side, but there’s mounting evidence they aren’t good enough.
The visitors have lost 13 Premier League games against sides currently in Europe. They’ve been outscored 42-9 in those matches.
Their midweek loss to Bayern Munich was arguably as worrying as any. In a must-win match, the Red Devils were passive and allowed the Germans to win in first gear.
Jurgen Klopp’s side have won 11 games at fortress Anfield this season, scoring 35 goals in the process. Only Everton held them to fewer than three goals.
Confidence is low in the United camp and recent injuries to Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire, plus Bruno Fernanes’ suspension, have compiled Ten Hag’s misery.
A midfield trio of Sofyan Amrabat, Scott McTominay and Kobbie Mainoo is sorely lacking in creativity and likely to be penned in and overrun.
Mounting injuries at the back mean out-of-favour Raphael Varane could partner Jonny Evans in defence.
There’s no doubt that worse teams have fared better at Anfield, but Liverpool’s motivation coupled with the visitor's shortcomings should lead to another thrashing.
Team news
Joel Matip, Andy Robertson, Stefan Bajcetic, Thiago Alcantara, Alexis Mac Allister and Diogo Jota are ruled out.
Man Utd are in the midst of a full-blown crisis. Tyrell Malacia, Victor Lindelof, Lisandro Martinez, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw are unavailable.
Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, Mason Mount, Amad Diallo and Jadon Sancho are also out. Bruno Fernandes will serve a suspension for yellow card accumulation.
Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford have been battling a virus and could also miss out.
Key stats
- Liverpool are averaging 3.18 goals per game at home in the Premier League
- Nine of 10 Mo Salah goals against Man Utd have come in his last five appearances
- Man Utd lost nine of the last 10 against sides that finished in the top nine last season
