Liverpool vs Man Utd Preview: Team News & Prediction
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
It is one of English football’s oldest and fiercest rivalries but the two sides as far apart on the pitch as they have ever been in the modern era as Manchester United travel to Anfield this week.
Kick-off date/time: Sunday 5th January, 2025: UK – 4:30pm / US ET – 11:30am / US PT – 8:30am
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / US – NBC
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / US – Telemundo
Liverpool Preview: Rampant Reds
Arne Slot and Liverpool and running rampant at the top of the Premier League as they search for a 20th league title, to level themselves up with arch-rivals Manchester United. They begin this weekend’s round of fixtures with a six-point lead and a game-in-hand.
The Reds come into this one on the back of a 5-0 thrashing of West Ham United at the London Stadium last weekend thanks to goals from Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo, Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Diogo Jota down in the capital city.
Man Utd Preview: Ruben’s relegation battling Red Devils
Ruben Amorim has said that his Manchester United side are involved in a relegation battle in the Premier League. The Red Devils begin the match day sitting seven points above the drop zone but that could be closed with games taking place before this one.
United suffered a 2-0 loss at home to Newcastle United last weekend. That means Amorim’s 11 matches have consisted of four wins, a draw and six defeats across all competitions. Those four wins, aside from against Everton, have been unconvincing come from behind wins, too.
Liverpool Team News: Gomez injury
Arne Slot has said that Joe Gomez is ‘not in a good place’ as he deals with a hamstring injury and he will be missing for a ‘few weeks’. Conor Bradley and Ibrahima Konate have returned to training, whilst Slot confirmed Trent Alexander-Arnold will play amid transfer speculation.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Salah, Szoboszlai, Diaz; Gakpo
Unavailable: Gomez (Injured)
Questionable: Konate (Fitness), Bradley (Fitness)
Man Utd Team News: Rashford illness
England forward Marcus Rashford returned to the squad last week but he is now unavailable due to illness for this week. The midfield pairing of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen is unlikely to ever happen again with Manuel Ugarte and Bruno Fernandes returning from suspension.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Onana; De Ligt, Maguire, Martinez; Mazraoui, Ugarte, Mainoo, Dalot; Fernandes, Diallo; Hojlund
Unavailable: Lindelof (Injured), Shaw (Injured), Mount (Injured), Rashford (Illness)
Questionable:
Liverpool vs Man Utd Prediction
The general expectation is that, much like they did a couple of seasons ago with a 7-0 win with Jurgen Klopp and Erik ten Hag in the respective dugouts, Liverpool once again wipe the floor with Manchester United. United will try and sit back and, as poor as they were last year, did manage to irritate Liverpool on a couple of occasions towards the back end of last season. It may not be the mauling many expect but it would be a surprise if the hosts didn’t run out as comfortable winners at Anfield.
Liverpool vs Man Utd Tip: Liverpool to win -1 handicap
