Can Manchester United cause a shock at Anfield?

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Liverpool v Manchester United preview

Northern rivals are set to clash in a Premier League showpiece at Anfield, where title favourites Liverpool host a struggling Manchester United in a highly anticipated showdown.

MUFC v Liverpool

Arne Slot’s high-flying Reds hold a commanding 23-point lead over their long-time adversaries in the league table. While Liverpool chase Premier League glory, Ruben Amorim’s beleaguered United side find themselves nervously glancing over their shoulders at the relegation battle.

As Arsenal, Chelsea, and Nottingham Forest scrap for the “best of the rest” tag, Liverpool have defied predictions of a mid-season slump. Slot’s team ended 2024 in emphatic style, thrashing West Ham United 5-0. They are poised to start 2025 with the same ruthless momentum.

The goals at the London Stadium came courtesy of Luis Díaz, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Diogo Jota, Mohamed Salah, and Cody Gakpo, sealing Liverpool’s fourth consecutive victory across all competitions and extending their unbeaten run to an incredible 23 matches. Their only defeat this season remains a mid-September loss to Nottingham Forest at Anfield.

Liverpool have been relentless in attack, scoring at least twice in their last 11 Premier League games. Their last three wins have all featured three or more goals, demonstrating their dominance in front of goal. While defensive frailties briefly surfaced during the festive period, the clean sheet against West Ham marked a return to stability, solidifying their status as the league’s best-performing home side, surpassing even Brentford.

In stark contrast, Manchester United arrive at Anfield off the back of four straight defeats, including a dismal 2-0 loss to Newcastle United on December 30th. A disastrous first half saw Alexander Isak and Joelinton expose United’s aerial weaknesses, and the early substitution of Joshua Zirkzee only added to the team’s woes. Despite an improved second-half display, United failed to turn the tide.

United’s home form has hit rock bottom, with three successive league losses at Old Trafford for the first time since 1979. Worryingly, they sit 14th in the table, just seven points clear of the relegation zone, and are in danger of losing four consecutive league games without scoring—a feat not seen in nearly 116 years.

Breaking unwanted records has been a recurring theme for United under both Erik ten Hag and his successor, Amorim. However, their recent head-to-head record against Liverpool offers a glimmer of hope. The Anfield side have only won one of their last four meetings, with last season’s fixture at Anfield ending in a goalless draw, despite Liverpool registering an incredible 34 shots. That said, Liverpool did cruise to a 3-0 victory at Old Trafford earlier this season.

A match that always provides drama and talking points

Who will ever forget last season's incredible FA Cup match between the two sides? That match ended up with an extra-time winner from Amad who became an instant hero amongst United's support.

Click here for more Premier League news from European Super Football 

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