After two back to back Cup games this month, the Premier League is back in town this week and it has bought with it, one of the most awaited games of the season. In what will see the resumption of the biggest rivalry in England, Liverpool, will travel to the Old Trafford, to face a Manchester United side, that is now on an 8 games winning streak in all competitions. The Reds are currently 5 points off Chelsea at the top of the table and will need all three points to stay in the hunt but Jose Mourinho, who engineered a 0-0 draw at Anfield earlier in the season, is expected to give the Reds a tough time. Klopp’s side are still without a win in the New Year and will hope to turn it around this weekend but this game will surely be one of the toughest ones for them in recent times. Here is the preview of this game, along with the team news, predicted lineups, betting odds and predictions.
The league game between Manchester United and Liverpool will be played on Sunday, the 15th of January, at the Old Trafford in Manchester. The kickoff is scheduled at 4:00 pm BST (9:30 pm IST)
Team News:
Jose Mourinho revealed in his pre-match press conference that he does not have any new injuries to worry about. Eric Bailly is on international duty and is absent and Mourinho said that first team duo Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marcos Rojo, will undergo late fitness tests before getting into the game.
Expected lineup (4-3-3):
De Gea; Valencia, Jones, Rojo, Darmian; Herrera, Carrick, Pogba; Mkhitaryan, Zlatan, Martial
Jurgen Klopp also had a similar revelation in his press meet where he revealed that first team duo Jordan Henderson and Joel Matip are back in training. Neither of them is expected to start but playmaker Phillipe Coutinho might make his first star this year at the Old Trafford. Sadio Mane and Danny Ings remain the only other absentees for the Reds.
Expected lineup (4-3-3):
Mignolet; Clyne, Lovren, Klavan, Milner; Can, Wijnaldum, Lallana; Firmino, Origi, Coutinho
Key Battles:
Zlatan Ibrahimovic vs Ragnar Klavan:
The Swede is currently the top scorer for Manchester United in all competitions and he will be fired up for this occasion. He will be up against an experienced Ragnar Klavan, who has been nervy at times recently. Klavan will have to make sure that Zlatan, does not get any space or time on the bal and will have to keep him quite for Liverpool to take anything from this game.
Philippe Coutinho vs Phil Jones:
Though not effective in his first game back from injury, Coutinho, can be dangerous, if allowed to settle into the game and Phil Jones, the United defender, will be responsible to keep him quite during the game. The playmaker will drift inside, and will try to create havoc at the back and United, and Phil Jones, will have to make sure that they keep him quite on the night.
Key Stats:
This will be the 50th Premier League meeting between Manchester United and Liverpool – United have won 27 of the previous 49 (D9 L13).
Liverpool have lost 11 of their last 14 visits to Old Trafford in the Premier League, winning the other three.
Liverpool have lost more Premier League matches (27) and also the most overall league matches (67) against Manchester United than versus any other opponent.
This clash has seen 16 red cards shown in the Premier League – only Everton v Liverpool (21) has produced more dismissals.
This could be Wayne Rooney’s 450th Premier League game, becoming the 21st player in Premier League history to reach this landmark.
Jurgen Klopp has lost just one of his six meetings with Jose Mourinho (W3 D2 L1), with that defeat coming in 2013 via a 2-0 away loss for Dortmund v Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-final second leg.
Juan Mata has had a hand in five goals in his last four appearances against Liverpool in the Premier League, scoring three and assisting two.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has 13 goals in his first 19 Premier League appearances for Manchester United – the same record as Dwight Yorke and Robin van Persie. The only player to score more in their first 19 PL apps for the Red Devils was Ruud van Nistelrooy (15).
Adam Lallana has been involved in 14 Premier League goals this season (seven goals, seven assists); more than any other English player.
Betting Odds:
Manchester United: 11/10
Draw: 12/5
Liverpool: 23/10
Predictions:
Though not at the best form at the moment, the visitors, are one of the most exciting sides in the competitions and are expected to start this game going for a victory. But an occasion like this can easily make every player nervous, which might play into United’s hand. Mourinho will have his plans and Klopp’s side will have to do extremely well to get anything from this game.
Our Prediction: Manchester United 2-0 Liverpool