Best odds: 87/100
Bookmaker:
Manchester United are set to confront their haunting memories of last season s devastating seven-goal defeat as they embark on a brief journey to Merseyside to take on Liverpool. The highly anticipated match is expected to draw a record-breaking crowd of approximately 57,000 spectators at Anfield this Sunday,.
Both football powerhouses aim to bounce back from their recent setbacks, with the match serving as the weekend s headline Premier League fixture.
Liverpool
Thanks to a successful test event conducted on Monday, a section of Liverpool s reconstructed Anfield Road Stand is set to officially open ahead of schedule this Sunday, with the iconic stadium potentially hosting the highest number of spectators in the Premier League era for the club and the largest attendance since 1973.
The upcoming battle against Manchester United, aside from the Merseyside derby, couldn t have been a more enticing prospect to break their spectator record, especially given Liverpool s recent success against their rivals. What s more, Jurgen Klopp s side enter this significant occasion while sitting atop the Premier League standings.
Klopp s team faced an initial setback against Crystal Palace last weekend when Jean-Philippe Mateta put the Eagles ahead from the penalty spot. However, they showcased their trademark comeback ability, securing a win thanks to Mohamed Salah s 200th goal for the club and a brilliant winner from Harvey Elliott.
Heading into Gameweek 17, Liverpool hold a one-point lead over Arsenal and a two-point advantage over Aston Villa. With these two teams scheduled to play their matches earlier on the same day, by kickoff time at Anfield, Liverpool might find themselves in a lower position on the table.
Despite an experimental lineup and a 2-1 Europa League loss to Union SG on Thursday, Liverpool had already secured a place in the last 16, rendering the result insignificant. Their remarkable seven-game winning streak in the Premier League at home is a point of pride for the Liverpool faithful, with the team scoring at least twice in each of those victories.
Team News
Although several senior Liverpool players, namely Mohamed Salah, Alisson Becker, Virgil van Dijk, and Trent Alexander-Arnold, were not included in the travel squad for Belgium to take a well-deserved rest, Klopp is still contending with a sextet of injury concerns for Sunday s game.
Joel Matip (ACL), Stefan Bajcetic (calf), Andrew Robertson (shoulder), and Thiago Alcantara (hip) are all expected to return at different points in 2024. Diogo Jota continues to recover from a muscular issue and is likely to be unavailable for a few more weeks. Additionally, Alexis Mac Allister s knee injury will keep him sidelined for the clash against Manchester United.
In the recent match at Selhurst Park, Salah s deflected strike not only marked his 200th goal for Liverpool but also his 150th in the Premier League. His impressive tally of 12 goals against Manchester United stands as his highest goal count against a single opponent in his illustrious career.
Manchester United
Drawing inspiration from Liverpool s attacking prowess could greatly benefit the struggling visitors, who faced a disappointing one-goal defeat in their recent European outing, ultimately marking their exit from continental competitions altogether.
Manchester United s hopes for Europa League progression would ve been dashed anyway, even had they triumphed against Bayern Munich in the final Champions League Group A match, as Copenhagen s victory over Galatasaray made the outcome inconsequential. Erik ten Hag s team failed to secure salvation, ending at the bottom of the group following a defeat to Bayern Munich, the contest being settled by Kingsley Coman.
With no European engagements in the first half of 2024, Ten Hag will have an extended period to address his team s lacklustre domestic performances. United faced a dismal situation in their most recent league game at Old Trafford, suffering a demoralizing 3-0 loss to Bournemouth, which resulted in disenchanted supporters expressing their dissatisfaction through boos.
Currently positioned five places below and trailing by 10 points in the Premier League standings compared to Liverpool, Manchester United have struggled away from home against top-eight teams for over two years. Their last triumph against a top-eight team away from home dates back to October 2021, engineered by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer s side in a 3-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur.
Reflecting on their last encounter at Anfield in March, Ten Hag might ponder the stark reality of United s heavy defeat. Liverpool handed the Red Devils a devastating 7-0 loss, marking their most significant Premier League defeat in history.
Manchester United haven t secured a Premier League victory at Anfield since 2016.
Team News
The defensive pair of Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw sustained injuries during their defeat to Bayern Munich, with Maguire nursing a groin issue and Shaw dealing with a hamstring problem, forcing them off the pitch in the first half.
Manager Erik ten Hag anticipates that Shaw, along with Marcus Rashford, who has been recovering from an illness, will be fit for the upcoming match. However, Maguire is confirmed to be sidelined, joining Anthony Martial (illness), Mason Mount (calf), Jadon Sancho (suspended by the club), Amad Diallo (knee), Christian Eriksen (knee), Lisandro Martinez (foot), Casemiro (thigh), and Tyrell Malacia (knee) on the unavailable list. Victor Lindelof, who is nursing a knock, remains uncertain for the game.
With Bruno Fernandes serving a suspension and Mount still recovering, Ten Hag might consider either Kobbie Mainoo or Hannibal Mejbri to fill the void in the midfield. Alternatively, there s a possibility of Donny van de Beek making a surprise return to the lineup after being out of favor recently.
Conclusion
Salah, of course, remains Liverpool s most potent weapon upfront, and being the man with the most goals in the history of this fixture, he is very likely to improve his record on Sunday.
Verdict: Mohamed Salah to score
Best odds: 87/100
Bookmaker:
