Here is everything you need to know ahead of the upcoming clash against Liverpool, as Man United are preparing for their short away trip.
Team News
Despite some of Liverpool’s key figures, including Mohamed Salah, Alisson Becker, Virgil van Dijk, and Trent Alexander-Arnold, being left out of the squad travelling to Belgium for a well-deserved rest, Klopp still faces a selection headache with a handful of injuries ahead of Sunday’s clash. Joel Matip (ACL), Stefan Bajcetic (calf), Andrew Robertson (shoulder), and Thiago Alcantara (hip) are all sidelined until 2024, while Diogo Jota’s muscular issue rules him out for a few more weeks. Alexis Mac Allister also joins the list with a knee injury, keeping him out of action for this match.
On a positive note for Liverpool, no new injuries cropped up in midweek, something Manchester United can’t claim. Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw both limped off in the first half against Bayern, with Maguire nursing a groin strain and Shaw a hamstring tweak. While Ten Hag expects Shaw and Marcus Rashford—who’s recovering from illness—to be fit, Maguire has been ruled out. United’s injury list also includes Anthony Martial (illness), Mason Mount (calf), Jadon Sancho (suspension), Christian Eriksen (knee), Amad Diallo (knee), Casemiro (thigh), Lisandro Martinez (foot), and Tyrell Malacia (knee). Victor Lindelof remains doubtful after suffering a knock. With Fernandes suspended and Mount unavailable, the midfield puzzle continues. Ten Hag could turn to young talents Kobbie Mainoo or Hannibal Mejbri to step in.
Form Guide
Liverpool have lost mere two matches since the start of October and both of them were in the Europa League. This is good news for Jurgen Klopp, as it means his team is doing well domestically. The recent loss to Union Saint-Gilloise in the midweek was not something anyone at Liverpool wanted, but at least he got to rest some of his key players ahead of this match. Prior to the trip to Belgium, Liverpool defeated Crystal Palace, Sheffield United, Fulham, LASK and Brentford, while their only draw in the past month came against Manchester City. That is good kind of form, although three goals conceded in a 4-3 win vs Fulham was not ideal.
As for Man United, things are looking much worse. With the 1-0 loss to Bayern at home, the Red Devils crashed out of European football altogether, finishing bottom of the group which included teams like Galatasaray and Copenhagen. The 3-0 loss to Bournemouth last weekend at Old Trafford would in some other situations have been enough for Man United to sack their manager. That is the best possible way of explaining just how badly things are going right now for Ten Hag, who will be in desperate need of a positive result at Anfield.
Predicted Outcome
Considering everything, Liverpool are clear favourites, but the Devils were known in recent years for producing good performances when no one really expected that to happen. We assume that might be the case here as well, which is why we predict Manchester United will get a 1-1 draw against Liverpool this time around.
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