Last Word on Football previews and offers a prediction for Liverpool vs. Manchester United at Anfield in a crucial fixture for both sides with contrasting ambitions in this season’s Premier League.
Liverpool vs Manchester United – Problems Mounting for Red Devils Ahead of Clash With Rivals
🚨🔴 Erik ten Hag when asked if he still as Manchester United backing: “I feel that, and they tell me that”.
“That’s fine, that’s ok, but I’m focusing on the process and making this team better, making these individuals better”. pic.twitter.com/DAahaY74So
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 15, 2023
Title Aspirations Back on the Menu at Anfield
Numerous questions were being pegged at Jurgen Klopp’s new-look Liverpool side at the start of the campaign after a busy summer transfer window overhauled the midfield on the back of a disappointing 2022/23 season that resulted in the Reds missing out on Champions League football. The result has been emphatic, with the Merseyside outfit sitting at the top of the table heading into this weekend’s round of fixtures.
It is now just one league defeat in 16, partly due to the controversial VAR debacle at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium in September. There have been moments where the team have struggled – and has fallen behind in several outings but has displayed a mentality once synonymous with Klopp’s Liverpool in coming from behind to grind out results.
The three most recent league victories were by a narrow margin, with late goals required in the wins over Crystal Palace, Sheffield United, and Fulham. There is belief that this side could go on and compete for the title, considering the stuttering run of form perennial champions Manchester City have suffered in the past few weeks.
The midfield overhaul has worked a treat, with Dominik Szoboszlai, in particular, earning plaudits for his performances, but there does appear to be a lack of depth of players to sit in front of the back four. Alexis Mac Allister has filled this role so far, while new signing Wataru Endo is still settling into the squad after his move from Stuttgart but has shown promise in recent matches.
Timid Showing Against Bayern Projects Spotlight Back on to Erik ten Hag
It does appear the writing is on the wall for the Manchester United manager after a lack of attacking quality thwarted the Red Devils in the must-win Champions League encounter with Bayern Munich. The defeat was all too similar to the heavy home defeat to Bournemouth and the prior away defeat to Newcastle.
It is all the more puzzling when you consider the promising performances in the 3-0 win at Everton and the display in the success over Chelsea. There does not appear to be a quick fix for the manager, as the mounting injury list is restricting his ability to change his lineup and have the availability of experienced players to bring off the bench to make an impact during games. Tough matches against West Ham and Aston Villa are to follow this encounter.
Read More: ‘All I Can Say’: Fabrizio Romano Clarifies Ex-Real Madrid Manager’s Links To Replace Erik ten Hag
If there is a positive to take from the European defeat, it is that the defence looked more solid and was less open than in previous outings. Raphael Varane returned to the starting lineup and put in an assured display, and he will need to be at his best if selected this weekend. Captain Bruno Fernandes will sit this one out in another blow for the club. But if there is going to be a game where the players prove they are playing for their manager, it could very well be this one, as another heavy defeat could intensify speculation of his future at the helm.
Manchester United have won four of their last five away league outings. The defeats away to Arsenal and Tottenham were even contests that ended up being decided by late goals, so the positive away performances offer some hope for the Old Trafford faithful.
Recent Head-to-Head
The infamous 7-0 thrashing for the home side in March ensures it is almost five years to the day – since Manchester United scored a competitive goal away at Liverpool. Their last victory at their rivals came in 2016, with a winner from Wayne Rooney under manager Louis van Gaal.
However, Manchester United did produce a fine display at Old Trafford in August of 2022 to beat Liverpool 2-1 with goals from England duo Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford. The last five meetings have produced four Liverpool victories, with that game at Old Trafford being the solitary success for the Red Devils.
There have been 25 goals scored, four by Manchester United.
Liverpool vs Manchester United Prediction
All of the signs are pointing towards another heavy home win, but manager Klopp is taking nothing for granted and is weary of the criticism labelled at his opponents, speaking ahead of the game, he stated:
“I never like when the headlines are about United not being great before we play because it’s like, ‘Okay, then this is the game where they can put everything right’.”
“I don’t follow United closely enough to know exactly what the problem is there, but I saw Erik ten Hag was manager of the month last month. I saw they were the team in form, so how can it be all wrong? I just don’t understand it.
He does have a point, as there were signs that Ten Hag was beginning to steer the team towards the top four before the recent slump in form. It should not be expected that the away side will roll over, but it would be a surprise to see them pick up anything here. It should be a comfortable home win.
