The English Premier League is back this weekend and the match to look out for is no other than the teams that have rivaled for years. In a showdown at Anfield Liverpool welcome their arch-nemesis Manchester United. The two teams go into this game in contrasting forms as Liverpool cruised at the top of the table and United struggling to find their feet.
Liverpool: In Red-Hot Form
Liverpool are having a glorious season spearheaded by their dominance in front of the goal. Arne Slot men have netted 45 times in 18 matches to make them the top scorers in the league. They have also been pretty impressive at the back, conceding just 17 goals, a record matched only by Arsenal.
Liverpool heads into the weekend on the back of an emphatic 5-0 victory over West Ham, which further solidified their title-winning chances. With their 23 unbeaten run across all formats and sole defeat of the campaign a surprising one, that being in a 1-0 defeat against Nottingham Forest, it cannot be wrong that confidence is well high in this Anfield camp.
The absence of Joe Gomez due to a hamstring injury will be a minor setback for Liverpool, but Ibrahima Konaté and Conor Bradley’s return to training provides Slot with defensive options. In midfield, Dominik Szoboszlai is available again after serving a suspension, adding further firepower to an already formidable lineup.
Manchester United: Struggles Continue
Meanwhile, Manchester United are in complete disarray. The Red Devils have lost four in a row in all competitions, with their latest defeat coming as a 2-0 loss at home to Newcastle. This run has seen them slip precariously close to the relegation zone, an unthinkable scenario for a club of their stature.
Manager Ruben Amorim is still finding his feet since he took over the wheel. Of course, implementing a new system does take time, but United’s defensive frailties have been there for all to see. They have conceded 21 goals under Amorim, managing to keep just one clean sheet against a struggling Everton side.
The better news for United is that Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte return from suspension to perhaps put some oomph into United’s midfield, but vital injuries to Mason Mount, Victor Lindelöf, and Luke Shaw are still extremely detrimental.
Key Stats
Liverpool have scored three or more goals in four of their last five league games, a run that underlines their flow in attack.
The Reds have suffered just one loss this season, and are undefeated in their last 23 matches across all competitions.
United have failed to score in their last three Premier League games, a worrying trend compounded by a meager tally of six points from their last seven away fixtures.
Prediction
Considering the flow of form, it’s hard to see anything other than a comprehensive Liverpool win-the free-scoring Reds’ attack ripe to expose United’s frail backline ruthlessly exposed by Newcastle earlier this week.
Although the returning Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte do bring a different angle into the system for the visitors, the sheer momentum Liverpool carry into this game makes them odds-on favorites. Expect an entertaining affair, of course, with goals likely at both ends, but the hosts should come out with a comfortable win.
This fixture has what it takes for a classic rivalry match, but for Manchester United, it could be another sobering reminder of the challenges they face in climbing back to the top.
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