The English Premier League continues this weekend after the international break, so take a look at our tips and predictions for the Liverpool vs. Manchester United match. With plenty of picks and markets to choose from, don’t waste your time and join the action at Get More Sports.
Liverpool vs. Manchester United
Three-Way: 1: Liverpool +181; X: +245 Draw; 2: Man United +181
Spread 0: Liverpool -101; Man United -101
Total +2.5: Over -102; Under -101
LIVERPOOL
The Reds are playing way below expectations at the moment as they are sitting in the 7th position in the Premier League with seven points behind Man United and Man City. Liverpool drew the previous two matches and recorded only one win in the last seven, which can be considered as underachieving. Following a massive, 5-0 defeat to Man City a month ago, Liverpool failed to bounce back correctly, but they now have a perfect opportunity to get back in the saddle as they are welcoming the arch-rivals at Anfield. It is the biggest game of English football, and it is a 199th edition of the North-West Derby, so the Reds cannot ask for a better chance to bring joy to their fans. Liverpool were the favorites in the latest match against Newcastle United at St. James’ Stadium, but it ended 1-1, despite a fantastic Philippe Coutinho’s goal that put the Reds in the lead. The hosts equalized with plenty of luck as Joel Matip’s clearance ricocheted of Joselu’s leg and went behind Simon Mignolet’s back. Although they continued to attack, Liverpool missed several goal-scoring chances, and the fans were left frustrated once again.
Liverpool played 12 games so far in 2017/18, recording five victories, five draws, and two losses, with a goal difference of 22:20, which means 3.5 goals per contest on average. When it comes to home games at Anfield, the Reds won four and drew two matches, scoring 15 and allowing six goals in the process. The home form and attack is not a problem for Liverpool, but defending is quite concerning for Jurgen Klopp as he didn’t bring an adequate centre-back during the summer’s transfer window. The German is now stuck with the current squad until January when he’ll probably try to get Van Dijk from Southampton. Let’s remind, Van Dijk was linked to Liverpool throughout the entire summer, but the move never happened as the Saints were unwilling to let the Dutch defender go.
Liverpool won three and lost two in the last five meetings with the Red Devils at Anfield, while in the previous two encounters, Man United failed to score a single goal. Since Klopp took over from Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool, they played five times against United; the record is 1-3-1, while the goal difference is 4:3. Considering recent stats and Jose Mourinho’s tactics when facing Liverpool away from home, I don’t expect plenty of goals on Saturday, and even one little detail can be crucial for the outcome.
Mohamed Salah scored a brace in Egypt 2-1 win over Congo and sent his nation to the World Cup for the first time since 1990. He is Liverpool’s top scorer with six goals to his name, while Roberto Firmino has four, and Sadio Mane and Philippe Coutinho bagged three goals each. However, Klopp will be unable to unleash the Fabulous Four as Mane sustained a hamstring injury while on international duty and will miss the next four to six weeks. Daniel Sturridge started at Newcastle instead of Bobby Firmino, but against United, it is possible to see both on the pitch from the referee’s first whistle. Klopp also could opt for Coutinho on the left wing, Salah on the right, and either Firmino or Sturridge as a striker. Alex Oxlade Chamberlain is also in the picture, and although the former Arsenal man didn’t impress after a few pale displays, the Reds gaffer still believes in him and could hand him a start in this clash. Coutinho scored a goal in each of the previous three matches and will undoubtedly be the biggest danger to David de Gea. Dejan Lovren is expected in the starting lineup as he recovered from a lower back injury, but Adam Lallana and Nathaniel Clyne are still sidelined.
MANCHESTER UNITED
Unlike their rivals, Man United are in an excellent form as they won the last six games, scoring astonishing 20, and conceding just two goals. Romelu Lukaku has been red-hot, but other players emerged as reliable options in the meantime, so Jose Mourinho doesn’t have to worry about efficiency. United destroyed Crystal Palace 4-0 in the previous Premier League fixture, thanks to Fellaini’s double and goals from Mata and Lukaku. The uninspiring Eagles had only a single shot on target as De Gea didn’t have plenty of work. However, the games at Anfield are something entirely else, but Mourinho is well aware of it, and the fact that his team is scoreless in the last two visits to Liverpool.
Man United played 11 games so far this season, recording nine wins, a draw, and just one loss against Real Madrid in the European Super Cup at the start of the campaign. They scored 33 and allowed five goals, which is around 3.5 goals per contest on average, just like Liverpool. However, don’t let these numbers fool you, as I already mentioned, there weren’t a lot of goals in H2H duels. Mourinho knows how to defend against the attacking teams as he proved it in the last visit to Anfield when the match ended 0-0. United had only 35% of ball possession, but nonetheless, they managed to stay unbeaten. The “Special One” is without a win in four games against Klopp, but he wouldn’t be disappointed if his team holds the hosts to a draw this time around. Mourinho’s primary objective will be to keep his net intact in the opening 20-25 minutes as Liverpool tend to attack from the first minute at home, and often settle the matches in the first half. The Red Devils showed a lot of stability in the defense, and Bailly’s and Jones’ confidence is sky-high at the moment, so it’s going to be hard for the Reds to penetrate early in the game. Let’s just hope the big rivals will provide us something to be excited for, and not another dull stalemate.
Romelu Lukaku is United’s leading scorer with 11 goals already, but he is suffering from a slight ankle injury and was on the bench when Belgium faced Bosnia & Herzegovina in Sarajevo last Saturday. Still, he entered the game in the second half against Cyprus and bagged a goal, so it seems he’s ready to start at Anfield. Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford are behind Lukaku with five goals each, while Martial and Henrikh Mkhitaryan are at the top of the assist chart with six to their respective names. Marouane Fellaini has been excellent recently, but he picked up a knee injury in the 30th minute in Sarajevo and will be sidelined for a couple of weeks. That will somewhat ruin Mourinho’s plans, as the Portuguese tactician evidently favors Fellaini over Ander Herrera this season. With Pogba already missing, Fellaini proved to be a great substitute for the French international and scored four goals in partnership with Nemanja Matic in the midfield. While Matic usually stays defensively-minded holding midfielder, Fellaini has more freedom to roam between the boxes and be a constant threat from indirect set-pieces and long balls. Unfortunately for Mourinho, he cannot count on the Belgian on Saturday, and in case of Liverpool’s high pressure, his players will have only one option as a target man, when forced to skip the middle of the park. Marouane would fit perfectly into that tactic because he’s relatively more dangerous in the air than Lukaku, but Mourinho now must change his philosophy and turn to Ander Herrera, who was United’s player of the season in 2016/17. Michael Carrick and Paul Pogba are still injured and will not feature here, while Marcos Rojo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic will return in January.
Liverpool vs. Manchester United – Match Prediction
Liverpool will try to score an early goal, and if the Reds succeed in that intention, United could face a heavy defeat, but Mourinho is experienced and clever enough to defend well and withstand the hosts’ attacks. Liverpool must not lose this game and Klopp will do everything in his power to secure three points, so I am opting for a draw here, with a little advantage to the Reds.
MY PICK: Draw (+245)
