Premier League leaders, Liverpool host arch-rivals, Manchester United in a blockbuster Super Sunday clash at Anfield.
Liverpool can extend their 13 point lead over Manchester City to 16 points with victory over the Citizens’ neighbours, whereas United can move to within two points of fourth-placed Chelsea with a win.
Team news
Embed from Getty ImagesFabinho and Joel Matip are set to be available for Liverpool after overcoming lengthy ankle and knee injuries respectively.
Dejan Lovren (muscle) is still out but should return for the Reds’ FA Cup trip to Shrewsbury next Sunday.
Naby Keita (groin), James Milner (muscle) and Nathaniel Clyne (knee) are all still ruled out.
Manchester United could hand Marcus Rashford a late fitness test as he races to recover from a back injury picked up as a sub in Wednesday’s FA Cup replay win over Wolves.
Eric Bailly, Timothy Fosu-Mensah (both fitness) and Luke Shaw (hamstring) are also doubts, and too will be given late fitness tests.
Axel Tuanzebe (hamstring), Marcos Rojo (groin), Paul Pogba (foot) and Scott McTominay (knee) are ruled out until next month at the earliest.
Form
Liverpool are still yet to lose in the league this season with just two dropped point- which in reverse fixture at Old Trafford in October, whilst keeping clean sheets in their last four home games in all competitions.
Man Utd are unbeaten in three of their last five league games (W3, L2) but have lost two of their last three away trips (W1, L2), with just two domestic clean sheets on the road all season.
Stat Attack
- Liverpool have lost one of their last nine meetings against Manchester United in all competitions (W2, D6, L1)
- Two of their last three Premier League (PL) meetings at Anfield have finished goalless.
- Anything other than defeat here would see Liverpool go five home matches unbeaten against Man Utd for the first time since September 2008 – January 2012.
- Man Utd have collected 100 yellow cards against Liverpool in the PL era.
- Six of Marcus Rashford’s 74 league shots this season for Man Utd have hit the woodwork.
Prediction
Liverpool haven’t been impressive lately but are grinding out those wins like proper champions should, which is a marked contrast to Man Utd who are just inconsistent every game irrespective of whatever competition they’re playing in.
I therefore can see Liverpool edging this if they’re at their best but my gut instinct says a score draw here.
Prediction: Liverpool 1-1 Manchester United
Result: Liverpool 2-0 Manchester United