The two most successful football clubs in English history are set to compete as Liverpool hosts Manchester United at Anfield this Sunday. With a combined total of 39 top-flight titles, both teams have their eyes on Premier League glory as they approach Matchday 17.
Read More: Why Manchester United vs Liverpool Could be Make or Break for Erik ten Hag & United?
Match Preview
Liverpool currently leads the table, having secured victories in 11 out of 16 league games. Notably, they’ve benefited from six goals scored by substitutes this season. In this aspect, only Brighton (10) and Arsenal (eight) have surpassed them, showcasing Liverpool’s depth and impact off the bench.
On the other hand, Manchester United is eager to bounce back after two defeats in three league matches, which have left them trailing six points behind the top four. Their latest setback was a surprising 3-0 home loss to the in-form Bournemouth, marking the fifth occasion this season that they failed to score in the Premier League.
United Amateurishness In-front of Goal This Season
In the ongoing 2023-24 Premier League season, Manchester United is grappling with the lowest shot conversion rate recorded since the 1997-98 season, standing at a mere 7.4%. This statistic reflects their struggles to convert scoring opportunities into goals. Furthermore, the negative disparity between their actual goal tally (18) and expected goals (25.7) is substantial, indicating a significant underperformance in front of the net, with a notable difference of -7.7.
Adding to their offensive challenges, United will face a considerable setback during their upcoming match at Anfield, as Bruno Fernandes, the team’s captain, is suspended. Fernandes holds a pivotal role as a playmaker, leading the league in chances created with an impressive count of 47. Additionally, he ranks second in expected assists (5.2), trailing only Newcastle’s Kieran Trippier (5.4) in this regard.
Erik ten Hag’s squad will have to contend with the absence of Fernandes as they face one of their formidable opponents, Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian international, fresh off reaching his 200th goal for Liverpool, has an impressive record of scoring 12 goals in 12 games against Manchester United for the Reds. This marks the most goals he has scored against any opponent for the club and stands as the highest goal tally any Liverpool player has achieved against the Red Devils.
Salah’s & Liverpool’s Domination at Anfield
Mohamed Salah’s impact at Anfield under Jürgen Klopp is nothing short of remarkable. In each of his last 16 Premier League appearances at Anfield, Salah has either scored 17 goals or provided 4 assists for Jürgen Klopp’s side. Should he register a goal or an assist in the upcoming game, he will tie for the joint-second longest run of home appearances with a goal involvement in the competition, sharing this record with Alan Shearer from April 1996 to May 1997 and Thierry Henry from November 2002 to October 2003. The all-time record stands at 18, held by Shearer from March 1995 to February 1996.
Liverpool’s dominant home form has been a key factor in their table-topping start, having won all seven of their league games at Anfield this season. The Reds previously achieved a longer home winning run at the start of a Premier League campaign only in the 2019-20 season, where they won the first 17 home games.
Adding to the challenges for Manchester United, they face an unfavorable statistic. The visitors have been unable to secure victory in any of their last 13 Premier League away games against teams starting the day in the top eight of the table, with a record of three draws and ten losses since their 3-0 win against Tottenham under Ole Gunnar Solskjær in October 2021.
Both Manchester United and Liverpool were involved in European competitions midweek, with contrasting outcomes. Manchester United faced a 1-0 home defeat to Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League group stage on Tuesday, leading to their elimination. Meanwhile, a youthful Liverpool side, having already secured the top spot in their group, suffered a 2-1 loss to Union Saint-Gilloise in the UEFA Europa League group stages on Thursday.
Team News
In terms of team news, Manchester United had setbacks with both Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw sustaining injuries in their recent loss. While Shaw is expected to be part of the squad this weekend, the team’s treatment room is crowded with players like Tyrell Malacia, Casemiro, and Lisandro Martinez, who are not anticipated to return until 2024. Marcus Rashford has been declared fit, but Anthony Martial is doubtful due to illness. Manager Erik ten Hag is likely to turn to midfield options such as Sofyan Amrabat, Scott McTominay, and Kobbie Mainoo.
The upcoming game on Sunday will be too soon for Christian Eriksen and Mason Mount, although Victor Lindelof could make a return. Bruno Fernandes is suspended following his fifth yellow card of the season in the Bournemouth defeat, and Jadon Sancho remains excluded from the squad after a public disagreement with Ten Hag.
Fortunately for Jurgen Klopp, the recent defeat to Union Saint-Gilloise did not result in any additional injuries to his lineup. However, Liverpool continues to face some key absences. Joël Matip, Thiago Alcântara, and Andrew Robertson are expected to be sidelined until the next year. Diogo Jota, another impactful player, is not anticipated to make a return until after Christmas.
Additionally, there is uncertainty surrounding Alexis Mac Allister, who remains a doubt for the upcoming matches due to a leg injury suffered in the recent victory against Sheffield United.
Head-to-Head Battle: Manchester United vs Liverpool
Liverpool holds an impressive record against Manchester United in their recent encounters. The Reds are currently on a seven-match unbeaten streak at Anfield against United in the Premier League, securing four wins and three draws. The aggregate score of their last two victories stands at an impressive 11-0. This run is the longest unbeaten stretch at Anfield against their arch-rivals since the period between 1970 and 1979 when Liverpool went nine league games without a defeat.
Manchester United, on the other hand, has struggled to find the back of the net in their recent visits to Anfield, failing to score in the last four Premier League away games against Liverpool. This goal drought is the lengthiest since their six-game run without an away league goal against an opponent between 1969 and 1974, specifically against Everton.
The most recent clash between the two teams in the previous season was a memorable one for Liverpool. In March, Liverpool dominated United with a resounding 7-0 victory at Anfield. Cody Gakpo, Darwin Núñez, and Mohamed Salah all contributed with braces, while Roberto Firmino, a fan favorite, added the final goal to cap off the triumph shortly before his departure from the club.
Recent Form
Liverpool’s recent defeat to Union Saint-Gilloise marked their first loss since a 3-2 away defeat against Toulouse in the Europa League back in November. Notably, these two European setbacks are the only games Liverpool has lost in their last 15 across all competitions.
Following a 1-1 draw with Manchester City after the previous international break, Jurgen Klopp’s team bounced back with victories against Fulham, Sheffield United, and Crystal Palace. This positive run underlines Liverpool’s resilience and ability to respond after setbacks.
On the other hand, Manchester United’s recent performance has been less consistent. The defeat to Bayern Munich was their third loss in four games across all competitions. Erik ten Hag’s team has managed to win just one of their last five fixtures, but that victory was an impressive 2-1 triumph against Chelsea.
Liverpool has been particularly potent at home in the league this season, averaging three goals per game (21 goals in seven home games). This goal-scoring prowess is their highest in a single season in the Premier League. Only Aston Villa, with 25 home goals, have scored more than Liverpool at home so far this season.
Manchester United vs Liverpool Prediction
The prediction is leaning towards Liverpool extending a challenging week for Manchester United by securing a victory on Sunday. The likelihood of Erik ten Hag’s men bouncing back with a win appears to be low, while the probability of both teams settling for a draw is not considered highly likely. The anticipation is that Liverpool will emerge with all three points from the match.
Where to Watch: Streaming Details
Football enthusiasts can catch the live action on Disney+Hotstar in India, with subscription rates starting from INR 299 per month. Additionally, the match can be streamed on the Star Sports television channel. The Premier League clash is scheduled for December 17, 2023, Sunday, at 10:00 PM IST in the UK.
