Liverpool vs Manchester United: Match preview, team news, predicted line-up, results, head-to-head, venue, date, time, where to watch

Liverpool and Manchester United would look to renew rivalry at the weekend after painful midweek fortunes grabbed them, with Ten Hag’s United losing against Bayern Munich at Old Trafford which led to their exit from UEFA Champions League, whereas Liverpool lost their plot against Union St-Gilloise.

A clash of the ages

Liverpool and Manchester United always promise to be a nail-biter, irrespective of the situation these two sides reside. They have a rich history of talented players among their ranks, starting from Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres during the yesteryears at Anfield and Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo among United’s legendary status, followed by Mohammed Salah and Bruno Fernandes in the recent years, Liverpool versus Manchester United has always been a peach of a game. This time too, it would be another promising nail-biter, although a different setting awaits for both top sides.

Liverpool are reigning at the top of Premier League this season, and would look to emulate their Premier League title glory which they achieved few years ago. Owing to the classy form of Mohammed Salah to striking exuberance from the youngsters in the form of Quansah, Elliott and Bajcetic and coupled with strict vigil from Jurgen Klopp, the Reds have lived up to the expectations of being a Premier League title contender. Barring some controversial defeats against Tottenham Hotspurs, this side have showcased their comeback prowess as they have scored in several crunch moments which resulted in a sweet yet decisive victory for them.

Currently, they are sitting atop the Premier League, with 37 points from 16 games, but would not be much comfortable as teams like Arsenal and Aston Villa are breathing behind them. They would be coming on the back of a comeback victory against Crystal Palace, with Harvey Elliott scoring a 91st minute winner, following Salah’s milestone of scoring 150 Premier League goals.

Manchester United, on the other hand, have endured a difficult start to their season, with Erik Ten Hag being under fire for most of the first half of this season. The Red Devils have been tormented apart in the European top flight, as they have been knocked out of the Group Stage, after a close defeat in the hands of Bayern Munich when Kingsley Coman decided to inflict more pain on Erik Ten Hag.

To add to their woes, they would be without their premier star and skipper, Bruno Fernandes owing to a suspension, and several injuries have dogged their path to victory. In the current scenario, United are on the sixth spot, and are placed well behind Tottenham Hotspurs, who are six points ahead of the Red Devils on the roster. Manchester would be coming on the back of a stunning 0-3 loss in the hands of AFC Bournemouth, as Ten Hag has been scrutinized for his wrongful tactics and has been under radar for a possible exit when the club gets a handover to its new owners.

Also, United would be keeping in mind their thrashing last time when they faced Jurgen Klopp’s side, when they were inflicted with a 0-7 loss, and would look for a revenge in mind, which, although seems impossible but one cannot rule out a possible Manchester United good game.

Liverpool vs Manchester United: Team News

With a mouth-watering clash on the cards, both sides would be looking to field their strongest eleven, but injuries and suspensions might play a spoilsport in their plans. As for the home side, Jurgen Klopp would be without the services of six prime players, who are not in contention to play as the sextet involves Joel Matip, who is out due to an ACL injury, Bajcetic, who is nursing a calf injury, Robertson, sitting on the sidelines owing to a shoulder injury.

Along with the previous three, Thiago is recuperating from a hip injury and is slated to come back next year, and he is joined by Diogo Jota’s muscle injury and Alexis Mac Allister’s knee injury.

As for visitors Red Devils, Erik Ten Hag is without several of his top players, who are either sidelined due to injuries, or are in referees’ book owing to a suspension. They would be without their star defensive duo of Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw, who suffered from groin and hamstring injuries during their clash against Bayern, as skipper Bruno Fernandes would be sitting on the stands owing to a suspension. Ten Hag is expecting Rashford, who is fit after an illness bout, but Maguire is slated to miss the game alongside Martial, Mount and Diallo, who joins the lengthy list of infirmaries with Eriksen, Martinez and Casemiro among others.

Liverpool vs Manchester United: Predicted line-up

Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Szoboszlai, Endo, Gravenberch; Salah, Nunez, Diaz

Manchester United: Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Evans, Varane, Shaw; McTominay, Amrabat, Mainoo; Antony, Hojlund, Rashford

Liverpool vs Manchester United: Predicted score

Liverpool 4-1 Manchester United

Liverpool vs Manchester United: head-to-head

Liverpool wins: 19

Manchester United wins: 29

Draws: 14

Last game: Liverpool 7-0 Manchester United (5th March, 2023)

Liverpool vs Manchester United: venue, date, time, where to watch

Venue: Anfield Stadium

Date: 17th December, 2023

Time: 10 PM (Indian Standard Time)

Where to Watch: Star Sports Select