Manchester United carries the mission almost impossible to achieve positive results over Liverpool in the 23rd week of the English Premier League, this weekend.
Manchester United step heavy because the game will take place at Anfield Stadium. Liverpool have not lost in 52 matches in front of the public itself and have player material that is more classy than Manchester United.
All the advantages of the Reds that make the course of the game can be easily guessed later. Jurgen Klopp’s squad will play offensively, dominate the game, and make Manchester United tighten the defense while peering into the gap to attack through a quick counterattack.
Liverpool does have dangerous players in almost all lines. Starting from the back line to the front lines.
Even on the front lines, the port city team has Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, and Sadio Mane. One of the best front trident in the world today.
These three players have contributed 28 goals from a total of 50 Liverpool goals in 21 matches in the Premier League. Evidence that Salah, Mane and Firmino contributed to Liverpool’s success in topping the Premier League standings.
In addition, these three players not only ‘talk’ through goals scored. Firmino-Salah-Mane trio often spread threats through movements with or without the ball.
Liverpool’s front-line trio is also supported by team-mates who can make a difference in each match. Liverpool have a game creator type player who can spoil Mane, Salah, and Firmino as a forward on the line.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is the most diligent player providing goal assists. The England right-back has collected eight assists.
Arnold’s colleague in the left back sector, Andrew Robertson was included in the row of the highest assist producer in Liverpool this season. The Scottish player has packed six assists followed by team captain Jordan Henderson with two assists.
The sparkle of this Liverpool squad should be wary of Manchester United. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team which is predicted to play defensively needs a formidable figure in the back line.
In this season, the team based at Old Trafford is the arrival of Harry Maguire from Leicester who was carried off with a transfer of 80 million pounds. The purchase made Maguire officially the world’s most expensive defender to shift Virgil van Dijk’s.
Maguire’s presence did not necessarily make Manchester United’s defense difficult to break into opponents. This can be measured by a record of 36 goals conceded until the 22nd week of the English Premier League.
However, Maguire’s individual report cards are good when compared to Victor Lindelof. Both of these players are the mainstay of Solskjaer’s duo in the heart of defense.
So far, Maguire’s tackle ratio has reached 63 percent compared to 36 percent recorded by Lindelof. England defender made 38 interceptions while Lindelof only 17 times.
Maguire also won 141 dueles and Lindelof only 78 times. The matter of winning the air duel, Maguire was again ahead of Lindelof with 101 times 78.
This statistic shows that Maguire is still the best in the heart of Manchester United’s defense. Quality like the 26-year-old player is also expected to emerge from the four back line players of the Red Devils when Liverpool met.
This indicates the collection team of 20 English Premier League titles need more than one ‘Maguire’ in the match later. If that condition can be fulfilled then the hope to stem the sharpness of the Liverpool front line is not just a mere fantasy.
Facing an aggressive team like Liverpool, accurate tackles, intercept skills, and great in air duels is a must.
Players with accurate tackles and good intercepts like Maguire are important to ensure the trio of Salah, Firmino, and Mane are not free to threaten the Manchester United goalkeeper who is guarded by David de Gea.
While the ability to win an air duel is an important variable in a set piece situation. The reason is, Liverpool have Virgil van Dijk who has always been a threat in situations of set pieces and is proven by notching three goals in the Premier League this season.
