If there is a club that can give Liverpool their first defeat in the English Premier League this season, maybe the club is Manchester United. Yes, the Red Devils are the real threat to Liverpool when the two teams meet at Anfield Stadium on Sunday (16/12).
Pressure is on the Liverpool side when the 201st duel in all competition against Man United takes place at Anfield Stadium. In 200 previous meetings, Liverpool swallowed 80 defeats, 55 draws and 65 wins against Manchester United.
There are a number of factors that make Liverpool feel pressure ahead of Man United. First of all, Liverpool must win to maintain the top position of the English Premier League. Liverpool are now just one point ahead of Manchester City at the top of the standings. Liverpool deserve to feel the pressure. Because, Man City will face Everton at the Etihad Stadium one day earlier, Saturday (16/12). Man City’s victory will make Liverpool feel more pressure.
Liverpool are the only club unbeaten this season after Man City were beaten by Chelsea last week. Liverpool’s unbeaten status has the chance to end when against Man United, especially if Juergen Klopp is unable to end a bad record against the Red Devils.
Klopp might have a pretty decent record against Mourinho. Of the nine meetings in all competitions, Klopp won three wins, four draws and two defeats. Even so Liverpool have a pretty bad record against Man United in the English Premier League. Quoted from Opta, Liverpool have never won a victory from the last eight meetings against Man United in the English Premier League, claiming five defeats and three draws. In the last two meetings at Anfield Stadium, Liverpool vs Man United ended in a scoreless draw.
In position in the standings, Liverpool have a lead up to 16 points over Man United who are in sixth position. But, the Reds always had difficulty facing Man United. Even the Liverpool trio: Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, and Sadio Mane were never able to do much against Man United. Somehow, Mourinho and Man United were always able to make Salah, Firmino, and Mane not move. The three Liverpool stars have never been able to score goals or assists against Man United when strengthening Liverpool and other clubs in the English Premier League from a combined total of 855 minutes.
No doubt the presence of the Salah-Firmino-Mane trio is very important for the goal. Eight goals from Liverpool’s last three matches, Salah and Firmino scored five of them. The record shows how important Salah, Firmino and Mane looked at the front lines to face Man United.
The biggest opportunity to win at Anfield Stadium remains the property of Liverpool. In addition to playing at home, the consistency of the game Liverpool was superior to Man United.
Problems that might tackle Liverpool’s move to swallow their first defeat are injuries, especially in the back line. A number of Liverpool mainstay defenders are still struggling with injuries ahead of Man United, namely Joe Gomez, Nathaniel Clyne, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Joel Matip.
Luckily for Liverpool, Man United will also not be strengthened by a number of reliable players. The Red Devils team have the chance without Anthony Martial, Chris Smalling, Matteo Darmian, Luke Shaw, Diogo Dalot, Victor Lindelof and Marcos Rojo.
Apart from the absence of a number of key players, the Liverpool vs Man United match will certainly continue to be interesting.
