Liverpool head into their clash with Manchester United this afternoon as the heavy favourites having lost only one match this season. The Red Devils have not won at Anfield since January 2016 and they are not expected to end that barren run any time soon. Express Sport writers have made their predictions ahead of the top Premier League match of the weekend…
Mikael McKenzie
This is the type of match that Manchester United could spring a shock win and everyone will be singing Erik ten Hag’s praises once again. But there’s no way I’m sticking my neck on the line and predicting it to go that way.
Mohamed Salah has an incredible scoring record against the Red Devils, notching 12 goals in as many appearances. For Fantasy Premier League managers, that’s 72 points in his last four matches against their arch-rivals. An easy captain pick.
I’m fully expecting Salah to be at his blistering best once again and pile even more misery on Erik ten Hag’s men. Without Bruno Fernandes, United will be counting on Scott McTominay or Rasmus Hojlund to be their talisman. I’m sure Virgil van Dijk won’t losing a wink of sleep at that thought.
Score prediction: Liverpool 3-0 Manchester United
Jonathan Spencer
After last season’s utter humiliation at Anfield and the toxicity surrounding Old Trafford as of late, Man Utd fans are unsurprisingly fearing the worst. All the signs are pointing to a routine Liverpool win, and that was before Bournemouth crushed Erik ten Hag’s side away from home.
To make matters worse, they will be without their talisman and captain Bruno Fernandes who is banned after picking up his fifth yellow of the season. So while they continue to look all over the place at the back, their threat going forward has already been nullified too going into this weekend.
Mohamed Salah and co will be quietly optimistic they can put their arch rivals to the sword, and with the Reds firmly in the title race, they will certainly be fired up to keep the momentum going – and it doesn’t get much better than beating Utd at Anfield. I’m going 3-1 Liverpool, with a late consolation from the visitors after yet another lacklustre display.
Score prediction: Liverpool 3-1 Manchester United
Alex Turk
You would have to stretch back to January 2016 to recall Manchester United’s last win against Liverpool at Anfield. It was Jurgen Klopp’s first north-west derby in charge the day Wayne Rooney earned a 1-0 win for Louis van Gaal’s side.
The eight following visits have been nothing short of nightmare fuel for United, losing five of them and scoring just once – a consolation in the 3-1 defeat that sealed Jose Mourinho’s fate in December 2018 (five years ago, guys). Given Erik ten Hag’s recent results and potential availability crisis this weekend, it already feels like a damage limitation for the visitors.
United would do well to approach the game as they did against Bayern Munich midweek, shutting up shop and hoping for success on the break. But even then, Liverpool will have no plans to derail their 100 per cent home record in the Premier League this season and should have too much. Maybe not 7-0 much, but you never know…
Score prediction: Liverpool 3-0 Manchester United
Sam Smith
Ten Hag will be conscious of history’s ability to repeat itself in football. Jose Mourinho’s ill-fated United spell ended in a December defeat by Liverpool in 2018, with players revolting against a manager void of public charm and a clear footballing direction.
The current United boss will no doubt fear the same outcome despite reports that his job remains safe until Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s ominous arrival at Old Trafford. Liverpool, able to rest their best players in Thursday’s non-event of a Europa League defeat by Union Saint-Gilloise, will fancy their chances of another big Anfield victory against their north-west rivals.
United’s players appeared depleted as they dropped to the turf at the final whistle of Tuesday’s Champions League loss against Bayern Munich. It is difficult to foresee a team lacking energy, confidence and form going to a rejuvenated Anfield and coming away with anything remotely positive.
Score prediction: Liverpool 3-1 Manchester United
Charlie Parker-Turner
Liverpool should run riot against Ten Hag’s injury-ridden United side. It is hard to see the Reds replicating their 7-0 success from last season, but there still should be plenty of goals.
Both sides don’t look particularly strong defensively at present, although the sheer firepower of Liverpool’s attack could prove decisive in a 4-1 victory for Jurgen Klopp’s side – with Mohamed Salah’s superiority over loanee Sergio Reguilon, with Luke Shaw set to be ruled out with a hamstring sprain, likely to have a significant impact on the match.
Bruno Fernandes’ absence strips United of their creativity centrally and it is hard to see the Red Devils retaining possession for extended periods as a result, especially with the talent that Liverpool has in midfield. If Trent Alexander-Arnold is deployed in midfield, he could have a field day!
Score prediction: Liverpool 4-1 Manchester United
Liverpool should run riot against Ten Hag’s injury-ridden United side. It is hard to see the Reds replicating their 7-0 success from last season, but there still should be plenty of goals.
Both sides don’t look particularly strong defensively at present, although the sheer firepower of Liverpool’s attack could prove decisive in a 4-1 victory for Jurgen Klopp’s side – with Mohamed Salah’s superiority over loanee Sergio Reguilon, with Luke Shaw set to be ruled out with a hamstring sprain, likely to have a significant impact on the match.
Bruno Fernandes’ absence strips United of their creativity centrally and it is hard to see the Red Devils retaining possession for extended periods as a result, especially with the talent that Liverpool has in midfield. If Trent Alexander-Arnold is deployed in midfield, he could have a field day!
