Liverpool and Manchester United renew their famous rivalry on Sunday as Jurgen Klopp goes in search of his first Premier League win against the Red Devils.
In seven encounters between the two sides since Klopp took over at Anfield, Liverpool's only win came in the Europa League in 2016, and their last victory over a Jose Mourinho side came when he was in charge at Chelsea.
It is always an interesting clash of styles when these two managers meet, with Klopp's high intensity pressing coming up against Mourinho's more methodical approach.
Nothing less than victory will do for Liverpool, who must make the most of Manchester City's defeat to Chelsea last weekend to press home their advantage at the top of the table.
Where to Watch
When Is Kick Off? | Sunday 16th December |
What Time Is Kick Off? | 16:00 BST |
Where Is it Played? | Anfield |
Referee? | Martin Atkinson |
TV Channel? | Sky Sports Premier League / Sky Sports Main Event |
Team News
"In Valencia, only [David] De Gea and [Nemanja] Matic were available to play and didn't travel," Jose says. "Apart from that, the players that didn't travel were not fit to play." #MUFC
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) 14 December 2018
Predicted Lineups
Liverpool | Alisson; Milner, Van Dijk, Lovren, Robertson; Fabinho, Wijnaldum; Firmino; Shaqiri, Salah, Mane. |
Manchester United | De Gea; Dalot, Bailly, Jones, Shaw; Matic, Herrera, Fellaini; Lingard, Rashford, Martial. |
Recent Form
Liverpool head into this match on a huge high, having gone top of the Premier League last weekend followed by qualification to the knockout stages of the Champions League in midweek.
The Reds have won their last five Premier League matches and 13 of the 16 they have played so far this season, drawing the other three. Manchester City's defeat last week leaves Liverpool as the only unbeaten team in the top seven tiers of English football.
Manchester United suffered that disappointing defeat at Valencia in midweek, but they may benefit from having played a lower intensity match with a changed squad.
Liverpool | Manchester United |
Liverpool 1-0 Napoli (11/12) | Valencia 2-1 Manchester United (12/12) |
Bournemouth 0-4 Liverpool (08/12) | Manchester United 4-1 Fulham (08/12) |
Burnley 1-3 Liverpool (05/12) | Manchester United 2-2 Arsenal (05/12) |
Liverpool 1-0 Everton (02/12) | Southampton 2-2 Manchester United (01/12) |
Paris Saint-Germain 2-1 Liverpool (28/11) | Manchester United 1-0 Young Boys (27/11) |
Prediction
Neither manager will be pleased to have so many defensive injuries to contend with, but it should make for a match worthy of this fixture's storied history.
On paper, Liverpool's form and high morale should be enough to see them over the line, but Manchester United always raise their game in the North West Derby and they would love to be the team that knocks Liverpool off the top of the table.
In Dejan Lovren and Phil Jones, both teams have an obvious weak link which the other side will try to exploit. The match may be decided by which midfield can offer the best protection to their patchwork back line.
Source : 90min