Man Utd Vs Liverpool preview, H2H, team news, line-ups and prediction

Liverpool’s title challenge faces its biggest, or perhaps its easiest, test yet as they travel to Old Trafford to face arch-rivals, Manchester United on Premier League matchday 32.

The Red Devils have made headlines in recent weeks for the wrong reasons. From their performance being branded as ‘horrible’ by Gary Neville, to Marcus Rashford being clattered by Jamie Redknapp and Roy Keane for his performance against Brentford, and most recently, losing to Chelsea in the most dramatic fashion.

While their sixth-place standing in the Premier League might not be disastrous, their overall performances have been nothing short of shocking so far this season.

Some of their worst moments include finishing bottom of the Champions League group that had Cophenaghen and Galatasaray, as well as being knocked out of the Carabao Cup in a completely dominant fashion by Newcastle United at Old Trafford. More suppressing for United are their defensive and attacking inputs this season, having scored only 43 goals– the least of any side in the top-six, while conceding 59 shots on target in just two matches against Brentford and Chelsea.

On the positive side, United have recorded some memorable moments this season including the comeback win over their next opponent, Liverpool, in their previous meeting in the FA cup which will be United’s only chance to silverware this season.

The 13-time-Premier-League Champions produced another thrilling Premier League classic at Stamford Bridge that saw a rollercoaster of emotions for United fans.

Some may say the never-say-never aura of the Red Devils, others may call them the ‘comeback kings’, either way, Ten Hag’s side proved they were never going to frizzle out of the contest against Chelsea irrespective of the goal margin.

After starting the game slowly and going two goals behind in the first 20 minutes, United began to assert themselves in the game. Alejandro Garnacho took advantage of Moises Caicedo’s misplaced pass as he blazed through on goal to slot the ball home.

United found the leveller four minutes later when an unmarked Bruno Fernandes headed home Diego Dalot’s cross before Garnacho doubled his tally to give United the lead in the second half.

However, for the second successive time this season, United let their lead slip despite leading the game up until the 98th minute.

Chelsea were awarded a penalty and Cole Palmer made no mistake from the spot before completing his hat-trick in the last minute of the game to hand United their 17th loss across all competitions this season thanks to a 4-3 defeat.

They now face a rampaging Liverpool side with a depleted squad and will need more than a miracle to stop Liverpool’s streak of scoring multiple goals in their past five visits to Old Trafford.

With only two losses in the League this season, Jurgen Klopp’s side are in a tight race for their second Premier League title as they currently sit top of the League table with a two-point lead above Arsenal in second place.

The Premier League have witnessed a number of one-sided, dominant affairs, but the game against Sheffield United on Thursday night was the most dominant game by a side in League history with Liverpool recording 83.1% ball possession.

After Darwin Nunez blocked Ivo Grbic’s clearance which ended in the back of the net, the Blades found the leveller against the run of play in the second half when Gustavo Hamer’s header was turned in by Conor Bradley into his net.

Liverpool piled the pressure and had a couple of chances to restore their lead only to be denied by Grbic’s instinctive saves.

A sequel of passes from Liverpool led to a low cross from the returning Andy Robertson which was cleared but only as far as Alexis MacAlister who sent in a riffling rocket of a strike to the top corner to give the Reds the lead.

Cody Gakpo wrapped things up with Liverpool’s third goal of the night and Klopp will hope his squad remains unscathed when they face United on Sunday.

Manchester United Vs Liverpool match details

• Date: Sunday, 7 April, 2024
• Location: Manchester, England
• Venue: Old Trafford
• Kick-off time: 15:30 PM GMT, 14:30 PM UTC
• Referee: Anthony Taylor
• Assistant referees: Gary Beswick, Adam Nunn
• Fourth official: Craig Pawson
• VAR: John Brooks
• Assistant VAR: Richard West
• Tickets: Match going fans can buy Man Utd vs Liverpool tickets through the club websites or via trusted online resellers.

Match stats and head-to-head

•United and Liverpool have squared off 63 times in the Premier League. The Red Devils hold the upper hand with 29 wins, ten more than Liverpool’s 19 wins while 15 draws have been recorded between these two sides.

•Following his braces against West Ham United, Aston Villa and Chelsea, Garnacho became the first teenager to score three braces in the Premier League since Michael Owen in the 1998-99 season.

•Ten Hag’s side have faced 225 shots in 2024, the most by any team in Europe’s top five Leagues.

•The Reds have scored 26 goals in the final 15 minutes of their matches, ten more than any other team in the Premier League this season.

•Following Palmer’s 100th minute equaliser and 101st-minute winner for Chelsea, United became the first side to lose in the Premier League despite leading the game at 99:17 minutes.

•Only Sheffield have faced more shots than United’s 17.53 shots per game in Europe’s top five leagues this season.

•Mohammed Salah is in prolific form against United, netting 13 goals in 14 matches against United.

•At least three goals have been scored in the last five matches played between these two sides at Old Trafford.

•The Red Devils’ 4:3 win against Liverpool in the FA Cup was only their fourth victory in 19 matches against the Reds across all competitions.

Team news

For United, Luke Shaw and Altay Bayindir are out with muscle injuries while Victor Lindelof and Lisandro Martinez are ruled out for the next few weeks with hamstring and calf injuries respectively. Anthony Martial and Tyrell Malacia are also out of contention for this match with groin and knee injuries as Ten Hag continues to battle with incessant injury concerns for his team.

The Red Devils also lost Raphael Varane, Jonny Evans and Aaron Wan-Bissaka to injuries in the match against Chelsea and it remains to be seen which defensive set-up Ten Hag will utilize against a free-scoring Liverpool side.

Liverpool welcomed Robertson and Curtis Jones back from injury against Sheffield.

Wataru Endo did not future against the Blades after suffering a knock in Liverpool’s win over Brighton and Hove Albion. Klopp will hope the 31-year-old will recover in time to make the trip to Manchester.

Alisson Becker remains sidelined along with Stefan Bajcetic and Thiago Alcantara.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is unlikely to recover in time to face United and will remain on the sidelines alongside Diogo Jota and Ben Doak with knee injuries.

Joel Matip remains Liverpool’s longest absentee and is potentially out of the season with a lengthy knee injury.

Predicted starting lineup

Manchester United predicted starting lineup:

Onana; Dalot, Kambwala, Maguire, Amrabat; Mainoo, McTominay, Fernandes; Rashford, Hojlund, Garnacho.

Liverpool predicted starting lineup

Kelleher; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Gomez; Szoboszlai, Endo, Mac Allister; Salah, Nunez, Diaz.

Prediction

Just about a year ago, this fixture would have been highly anticipated with both teams possessing adequate manpower to hurt the other.

However, the form of both teams have retaken shape since the beginning of the season with United declining in form while Liverpool are surging toward a potential League title.

It will be tagged an “upset” if United gain any point in this clash despite playing at home. Liverpool are tipped to dominate the game and will capitalise on United’s defensive frailties to record a win.

We’re predicting a 4:1 win for Liverpool.