Ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash at Anfield, we offer our prediction and preview for the Liverpool vs Manchester United match. Can the Reds add to their rivals’ woes?
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Liverpool vs Manchester United: Match Preview
December was a month to forget for Manchester United and their new manager, Ruben Amorim. Their hopes of kicking off 2025 on a positive note are already under threat as they face a challenging trip to Anfield for their first match of the year.
Liverpool, currently top of the Premier League, enter the weekend with a six-point lead over second-place Arsenal and a game in hand. In stark contrast, United find themselves languishing in 14th after a 2-0 defeat to Newcastle on Monday, with more questions about their battle against relegation than competing for titles.
Historically, four teams in 14th position at the start of the year have been relegated: Newcastle (2008-09), Burnley (2009-10), Norwich (2013-14), and Leeds (2022-23). Amorim has warned his players that they risk being dragged into a relegation battle if they don’t shake off their dismal form from December, where they lost six matches across all competitions. This marks their worst monthly loss tally since September 1930, when they lost seven games.
United have now lost their last three Premier League matches, and they haven’t suffered four consecutive league defeats in a season since December-February 1979. Their last four-game losing streak without scoring came in April 1909.
In contrast, Liverpool are in sensational form, winning their last three league games with 14 goals in total, scoring at least three in each match. Their previous run of six consecutive league wins with three or more goals was in February/March 2014. In December, they scored 21 goals across six league matches, the most by any team in the competition during that time.
Arne Slot’s side, led by the brilliant Mohamed Salah, are a force to be reckoned with. Salah recorded 14 goal involvements (7 goals, 7 assists) in December, four more than any other player. Despite uncertainty about his future, Salah is arguably in the form of his life, contributing to 39 Premier League goals in 2024, with 23 goals and 16 assists. In terms of goal involvements in a calendar year, only Salah himself has recorded more for Liverpool in Premier League history, with his 28 goals and 12 assists in 2018 being the previous best.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is the only player to have registered more Premier League assists in a calendar year for Liverpool, with 17 in 2019, surpassing Salah’s 16 assists in 2024.
This season, the Egyptian has been involved in 30 Premier League goals (17 goals, 13 assists), achieving this milestone in just eight games—already a record for the most goal involvements by a player in a single campaign. This is his fifth season with 30+ goal contributions, equaling Alan Shearer’s record for the most such seasons in Premier League history.
Mohamed Salah also boasts an exceptional record against United, with 12 goals and 6 assists against the Red Devils, more than any other player in Premier League history.
However, it’s not just Salah who is excelling for Liverpool. Luis Díaz and Cody Gakpo are also in excellent form, having netted 12 and 11 goals respectively this season. Diogo Jota, recently back from injury, scored in their 5-0 victory over West Ham. Meanwhile, Trent Alexander-Arnold has been the subject of speculation regarding a potential move to Real Madrid but continues to thrive in Slot’s well-organized setup.
Amorim certainly faces a challenging task as he works to get United back on track. He can, however, draw on their surprising victory in the Manchester derby as proof that his team is capable of pulling off a strong performance in a major away game.
For United to secure a positive result, they must tighten their defense. They conceded 18 goals in December across all competitions, their highest monthly total since March 1964.
One potential silver lining for United is that Liverpool, despite their 4-2 win over Newcastle in their first match of 2024, have not won their opening league game in consecutive years since the 2013-2014 season.
In terms of team news, Liverpool will be without Joe Gomez, who suffered a hamstring injury against West Ham. However, Slot confirmed that Conor Bradley and Ibrahima Konaté, both of whom are recovering from injuries, are set to return to team training on Friday.
Marcus Rashford will miss the match due to illness, but United will welcome back Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte from suspension for the Anfield trip. However, Mason Mount, Victor Lindelöf, and Luke Shaw continue to be sidelined with injuries.
Liverpool vs Manchester United: Head-to-Head
This marks the first time since 1989 that Liverpool and Manchester United are meeting in their opening league match of a calendar year. On that occasion, the Red Devils triumphed 3-1 at Old Trafford on New Year’s Day.
United have scored only once in their last eight Premier League away games against Liverpool, failing to find the net in the last five encounters. Their longest run without scoring in league history was at Everton, where they went six games without a goal between 1969 and 1974.
United have not won any of their last eight league away matches at Anfield (D4 L4), their longest such streak since a nine-game winless run between 1970 and 1979.
In contrast, Liverpool have lost just one of their last 13 Premier League encounters with United (W7 D5), with the only defeat coming in a 2-1 loss at Old Trafford in August 2022.
Following Liverpool’s 3-0 victory at Old Trafford in September, Slot could become only the second Liverpool manager to complete a league double over United in his first season, joining George Kay, who achieved the feat in the 1936-37 season.
Liverpool vs Manchester United: Team News
Liverpool – Team News
Liverpool’s first match of 2025 will see them face their arch-rivals, Manchester United. Arne Slot’s team is currently sitting at the top of the Premier League, leading Arsenal by six points with a game in hand.
However, by the time the Reds take to the field at Anfield on Sunday, Arsenal could be just three points behind. Despite this, Slot will be confident in securing a positive result on Sunday.
Manchester United are in turmoil at the moment, having been fortunate not to suffer a heavier defeat than the 2-0 loss to Newcastle on Monday.
Liverpool, meanwhile, made a strong title statement with a 5-0 demolition of West Ham, although the win may have come at a cost.
Joe Gomez was forced off with a hamstring injury and is highly unlikely to feature in this match. Ibrahima Konaté and Conor Bradley have both returned to training, providing a significant boost for Liverpool, though it would be a surprise to see them start against United.
Federico Chiesa is still working on his fitness.
Liverpool – Predicted Lineup (4-3-3)
- Goalkeeper – Alisson
- Defenders – Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Quensah, Andrew Robertson
- Midfielders – Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Mac Allister
- Forwards – Salah, Diaz, Gakpo
Injured – Gomez
Manchester United – Team News
Manchester United will have two key players back for Sunday’s tough trip to Liverpool, but Marcus Rashford is set to miss out.
Ruben Amorim’s side were so poor in their 2-0 defeat to Newcastle on Monday that the United manager warned fans they could be facing a relegation battle. Heading to an in-form Liverpool is far from ideal for the Red Devils, who are currently just seven points clear of the relegation zone.
However, they will be boosted by the returns of Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte, who were both suspended for the loss to Newcastle. Rashford, who returned to the squad for the Newcastle match but did not play, is expected to miss out again, this time due to illness.
“At the moment, he’s ill, he’s not training, so we’ll see what happens in the future, but he’s treated like any other player, and I’ll make a selection as usual,” Amorim said on Friday.
“I think he’ll be out this week; he’s not training. We’ll see, but I think he’s out for this week.”
Kobbie Mainoo is likely to start in midfield after coming on in the first half against Newcastle for Joshua Zirkzee, who was sarcastically applauded off at Old Trafford. Casemiro and Christian Eriksen struggled in central midfield, so Ugarte is expected to partner the England international.
Mason Mount, Victor Lindelöf, and Luke Shaw are all thought to be sidelined with injuries.
Manchester United – Predicted Lineup (3-4-2-1)
- Goalkeeper – Onana
- Defenders – De Ligt, Mazaroui, Lisandro Martinez
- Midfielders – Diallo, Ugarte, Mainoo, Dalot
- Forwards – Garnacho, Hojlund, Fernandes
Injured – Mount, Shaw, Lindelof
Liverpool vs Manchester United: Match Prediction
Manchester United are struggling in attack, looking vulnerable defensively, and finding it difficult to adjust to Amorim’s system, putting them at risk of being overwhelmed at Anfield. However, the anticipated returns of Ugarte, Mainoo, and Fernandes should improve their performance, ensuring it’s not as disjointed as it was against Newcastle.
The United fanbase will likely travel with hope, but not expectation. It’s easy to imagine Liverpool repeating their 3-0 victory at Old Trafford, strengthening their title ambitions while leaving United’s Premier League survival in serious jeopardy.
Prediction: Liverpool 3-0 Manchester United
When and Where to Watch the Liverpool vs Manchester United Match? Broadcast and Streaming Details
The highly anticipated Premier League clash between Liverpool and Manchester United is set for Sunday, January 5, at the Anfield stadium, kicking off at 10 p.m. (IST). The match will be broadcast on the Star Sports Network for TV viewers, while online streaming will be available on Disney+ Hotstar, allowing fans to follow the high-stakes game on their preferred device. With a thrilling encounter anticipated at the Etihad stadium, supporters won’t want to miss a moment of this Premier League showdown.
Read More: Mohamed Salah Confirms Final Season at Liverpool, Aims for Premier League Glory
FAQs
What is the current form of Manchester United ahead of their match against Liverpool?
Manchester United is struggling with poor form, sitting 14th in the Premier League after a 2-0 loss to Newcastle, and is at risk of a relegation battle.
Will Marcus Rashford play in the Liverpool vs Manchester United match?
No, Marcus Rashford is set to miss the game against Liverpool due to illness, with Ruben Amorim confirming he is not training.
Which Manchester United players are returning for the Liverpool game?
Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte return from suspension, while Kobbie Mainoo is likely to start in midfield following a recent substitution.
How has Liverpool performed recently in the Premier League?
Liverpool is in excellent form, winning their last three matches, including a dominant 5-0 victory over West Ham, and leading the Premier League table.
What are the key injury updates for Liverpool ahead of the match?
Joe Gomez is out due to a hamstring injury, but Ibrahima Konaté and Conor Bradley have returned to training, although they are unlikely to start.