The Anfield in Liverpool will be buzzing with a tinge of tension when Manchester United face their bitter rivals Liverpool in one of the fiercest rivals ever in the world of football. Both clubs are fresh from 3-3 draws and will want to improve on their defensive performances going into the game but the stage set is so huge that it is tipped off as a battle between two different mid-sets and playing styles.
Liverpool can draw level with United on point with a victory on their home ground as the game promises to be a thriller. Here is the Preview of the game along with the Team News, Expected Line-ups, Betting Odds and Predictions.
The Liverpool vs Manchester United game will be played on Sunday the 17th of January at the Anfield in Liverpool. The kickoff is scheduled at 2:05 pm BST (7:35 pm IST).
Team News:
Liverpool is still without star striker Daniel Sturridge and defenders Lovren and Skrtel for this game against the Red Devils. Kolo Toure, Sakho, Henderson and Ibe are all fit for this fixture. Phillipe Coutinho will still be missed by the home side as Klopp will look to use the same team that got him a point against Arsenal in the midweek. New loanee Steven Caulker might be given a chance to start with Kolo Toure having played the whole 90 minutes against Arsenal.
Adnan Januzaj who returned from his loan spell may be given some playing time at Anfield while the manager Louis van Gaal rules the experienced Michael Carrick out for this game. Bastian Schweinsteiger and Phil Jones are close to recovery any may play a part in this game. Juan Mata is expected to return to the starting XI after he was replaced by Lingard in the previous game.
Expected Line-ups:
Liverpool:
Mignolet; Clyne, Caulker, Sakho, Moreno; Can, Milner, Henderson; Lallana, Ibe, Firmino.
Manchester United:
De Gea; Young, Smalling, Blind, Darmian; Schneiderlin, Fellaini; Mata, Herrera, Martial; Rooney.
Key Battles:
Roberto Firmino vs Chris Smalling:
Firmino the Brazilian false 9 has done wonders for Liverpool against the big teams. He seems to up his game in clashes like these and will be hoping to make an impact against United on Sunday. Smalling who started the season superbly has slowly lost his form and will be under severe pressure to keep out the Brazilian who is in staggering form after his brace against Arsenal.
Anthony Martial vs Nathaniel Clyne:
The French international has been one of the brightest players for Untied this season and will be hoping to repeat his performance from the reverse fixture at Old Trafford earlier this season. He is nowadays deployed on the flanks and will give Nathaniel Clyne a headache on the right. Clyne has been solid at the back for Liverpool recently and will have to keep Martial quite in order to help his team beat their bitter rivals.
Betting Odds:
Liverpool: 13/10
Draw: 9/4
Manchester United: 5/2
Prediction:
Liverpool on the back of their impressive performance against table toppers Arsenal will surely go into this fixture with loads of confidence but the intensity between the two teams will throw everything in the past out of the window and will pave way for an extraordinary encounter between two teams who hate to lose to each other. Van Gaal should set his team up in the strongest possible manner if he wants to take a result from Anfield.
Our Prediction:
Liverpool 2-0 Manchester United