Liverpool vs Manchester United
Date: 16/12/2018
K/O: 16:00
Venue: Anfield
TV: Sky Sports Main Event
Referee: Martin Atkinson
On Sunday, Liverpool host Manchester United at a time where the gap between the two has now risen to 16 points; something we have not been accustomed to for some time, maybe since the inception of the Premier League.
The rivalry between these two sides has grown and become a huge talking point each and every season. It is one of those fixtures you look out for when the fixture list is released before the chaos starts in August each year. This time, it comes in December and it is a huge for both sides, but for different reasons.
On one hand, we have Liverpool who currently sit top of the pack, a point ahead of Manchester City, and a rough festive period ahead, but who come into this one with great form, passion and desire having gotten through a tough European run recently. Man United managed to pull through their Champions League group too but have played a day later than Liverpool and also played away to Valencia whilst the Reds played in front of their own crowd.
A defeat for Manchester United here would be nothing short of an embarrassment because although the gulf in form and class is apparent by looking at the table, a defeat here on a televised Sunday afternoon would make it clear for all to see – Manchester United are nowhere near the best team in the North West anymore. In saying all this though, there is one manager out there who has it in him to cause the shock of all shocks and come away from Anfield with a 1-0 win under his belt. That man is Jose Mourinho; he has done it before with the likes of Chelsea and he is definitely capable of doing it again.
Liverpool look a much more refined and accomplished side than their rivals at this moment. Manchester United are injury stricken from top to bottom and look a very depleted side, whilst Liverpool are playing at a good level but have recently had to deal with injuries of their own also, specifically in defence. The biggest difference in the sides currently is Liverpool’s feared attacking trio who have been pivotal since last season in breaking teams down and causing havoc for their opponent’s back lines.
Opta Stats | Front Threes
Lukaku is some way behind Salah this season having scored five times in 15 starts. The Egyptian has doubled that (10) in 16 starts which shows just how poor United have been up top. Salah has also created 20 more chances than the Belgian (33 vs 13) but what is surprising to read is Lukaku has a shot conversion of 21% compared to Salah’s 18%, and this could feature as a factor in determining Sunday’s result.
Lukaku has not been in good form at all this season and has been ridiculed for his first touch, but Salah has had 57 shots this season compared to the Belgian’s 28, which could show that his Man United teammates could be doing more for him at the higher end of the pitch.
From my point of view, I’d say Martial has been a key player this season for Mourinho. He has stepped up his game drastically and fought for a place in the starting XI. He’s managed a goal every 112 minutes this season which is much better than Mane who has scored every 196 minutes. Martial has also created 16 chances this season, two more than Mane.
Looking at conversion rates again, Martial has a staggering 39% this season with Mane well behind on 18%. Again, arguably here you could say this sits in Manchester United’s favour and it could be the case on Sunday of who takes their chances and who doesn’t. Mane was extremely wasteful on Tuesday night against Napoli despite Liverpool getting the job done, it could have been an entirely different headline if Liverpool had conceded.
Rashford has played much less than Firmino this season, 436 minutes less to be precise, and the Brazilian has struggled this season to find any sort of form of his last couple of seasons. Although this difference in playing time, Rashford has managed to assist more goals and score only one less. Firmino’s shot conversion sits at 14% whilst Rashford boasts 18% which makes him just as accurate as Salah this season.
Stats are stats but they can’t be ignored. Man United lead the way here which your average day fan may not be aware of.
Team News
Liverpool have been bitten by the injury bug in the lead up to five games in 18 days. Joe Gomez fractured his leg against Burnley last weekend and Joel Matip has undergone surgery on a fractured collarbone sustained midweek against Napoli, which means they are left with only Virgil Van Dijk and Dejan Lovren as a centre-back pairing going into this one. Trent Alexander-Arnold is another who will miss the Christmas period with a foot injury which is where I believe James Milner will need to fill in and cover at right-back. Fabinho is a yellow card away from suspension for Liverpool.
Manchester United are in a much worse position than Liverpool on the injury front. They are missing up to nine players as they head into the weekend’s fixture. Mourinho has confirmed already that Marcos Rojo, Diago Dalot and Matteo Darmian are giving him defensive struggles.
Scott McTominay travelled midweek but did not feature due to a late assessment, Alexis Sanchez is still side-lined with a torn hamstring and Anthony Martial is a doubt but could feature this weekend. A cause for concern for Mourinho who needs to prepare his side for the match but may not be aware at this stage who his available to him. Nemanja Matic is also a yellow card away from a one game suspension.
Predicted Starting XIs
Liverpool: (4-3-3)Alisson; Milner, Lovren, Van Dijk, Robertson; Keita, Henderson, Shaqiri; Salah, Firmino, Mane.
Man United: (4-3-3) De Gea; Young, Bailly, Jones, Shaw; Fellaini, Matic, Herrera; Rashford, Lukaku, Martial.
Prediction: Liverpool 2 Manchester United 1
A close game for me but if Liverpool do take the lead Mourinho is going to have to change the side’s tactics and it’ll become a more open game. I believe they will score but Liverpool’s fire power is too much and against a depleted side, it should be enough on Sunday.
