Liverpool vs Manchester United: Preview, Team News, Predicted XI, and more | Premier League 2019/20

Ending Liverpool's unbeaten run will be high up on Solskjaer's agenda

Manchester United travel to Anfield on Sunday to face Liverpool determined to stay on track for their pursuit of the elusive 4^th place in the Premier League table. However, they are up against a Liverpool side who are yet to taste defeat in the Premier League this season. 

The highly anticipated encounter between two of the most successful clubs in the country has lost a little significance in the terms of the title race. That is because Manchester United and Liverpool are experiencing contrasting fortunes this season.The Reds are top of the table, while the Red Devils are 5th at the moment.

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While Jurgen Klopp’s men have been outstanding right from the word go, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s wards have blown hot and cold all season long. The two clubs are currently separated by 27 points, while Liverpool also have a game in hand. That is perhaps the most telling indication of the shift in power from Manchester to Merseyside of late.

Manchester United come to the game on a run of two consecutive wins, against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the F.A. Cup replay and Norwich City in the Premier League last weekend. As such, Solskjaer has every right to be optimistic ahead of the trip on Sunday.

Despite the lack of implications of the tie in the title race, the old hostility and bitter rivalry is still intact. Neither team will be ready to give away an inch without a fight and anything other than a win will be considered a a disappointing result for both clubs.

For games such as these, form certainly goes out of the window, so both teams will be hoping to take away a positive result from the tie. In this segment, we bring you all the essential information ahead of Manchester United’s Premier League game against Liverpool.

Kick-Off Information – Liverpool vs Manchester United

 

Manchester United face Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday

Date: 19^th January 2020

Time: 04:30 PM GMT, 10:00 PM IST

Venue: Anfield

Where to Watch: Star Sports Select HD, Hotstar (India), Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Sports Main Event (UK)

Form Guide (Most Recent First) – Liverpool vs Manchester United

Last 5 games in all competitions

Liverpool – W-W-W-W-W

Manchester United – W-W-L-D-L

Head to Head - Liverpool vs Manchester United

 

The two clubs have faced each other 203 times in total!

The two clubs have met each other a total of 203 times so far and Manchester United still hold an edge over their bitter rivals. The Red Devils have won 80 games, while Liverpool have 66 wins.

Interestingly, Liverpool have won only once in the last 11 meetings with Manchester United, however, that solitary victory arrived at Anfield last season, when Xherdan Shaqiri’s brace helped Liverpool overcome the Red Devils.

Manchester United last won at Anfield almost 4 years ago, in January 2016, when Wayne Rooney scored the only goal of the game. Since then, the Red Devils have registered just one win in 9 games in all competitions against the Reds. 

However, Manchester United are also Liverpool’s nemesis in the Premier League – United have defeated Liverpool 28 times in the league, more than any other team.

Team News - Liverpool vs Manchester United

 

Rashford's injury could jeopardize Solskjaer's plans

Manchester United will be without the services of Paul Pogba, Scott McTominay, Marcos Rojo, Axel Tuanzebe, and Luke Shaw, who are all sidelined with injuries. In addition, Eric Bailly and Timothy Fosu-Mensah are also doubtful for the game, having only just returned from long lay-offs due to injuries.

However, the biggest news of the day is that Marcos Rashford is still a doubt for the game, after hurting his back during a cameo against Wolverhampton Wanderers in midweek. Solskjaer revealed in his Friday press conference that the Englishman’s fitness will have to be assessed on Sunday before a final decision can be made.

For the Reds, Fabinho, Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip are back in training, but might not be a 100% fit for the game on Sunday. Naby Keita and James Milner, though, are still out with injuries.

Manchester United Predicted Starting XI

Manchester United Starting XI: David De Gea; Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Brandon Williams; Nemanja Matic, Fred, Andreas Pereira; Daniel James,  Anthony Martial, Juan Mata

Predictions - Liverpool vs Manchester United

 

Can Solskjaer ruin Klopp's day?

Liverpool are currently on an unbeaten run of 38 games in the Premier League. Only 2 teams have managed longer unbeaten runs in the league – Arsenal were unbeaten for 49 games in 2004 and Chelsea registered a 40-game unbeaten run in 2005. In both instances, the respective unbeaten runs were ended by the same team – Manchester United.

Ideally, it might be a stretch expecting the current Manchester United team to manage such a feat. However, it is also important to remember that Solskjaer’s wards are the only team in the Premier League to take points off Liverpool this season and even on that occasion, they almost managed to steal a victory. Ruling them out without a chance, as such, might be a mistake.

In addition, Manchester United’s inconsistencies have drawn another interesting trend this season. The Red Devils have fared very well against the top 4 teams, and are unbeaten against the top 4 this season. 

They have already defeated Manchester City, Leicester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea this season, while Arsenal are the only team from the traditional top 6 defeat them. 

As such, Solskjaer could be planning an upset on Sunday and at Football Mad Daily, we believe that Manchester United could break Liverpool’s record this weekend.

Match Prediction:  Liverpool 1-2 Manchester United

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