Liverpool vs Manchester United: Three key players to look out for

The Hard Tackle looks at three key players to watch out for in the upcoming meeting between Liverpool and Manchester United on Sunday.

The action on Sunday ends with a much-awaited meeting between two bitter rivals. Liverpool and Manchester United will lock horns at Anfield this weekend in what should be a feisty affair, despite the contrasting fortunes of the two teams this season.

Liverpool came into the 2022/23 season following a memorable campaign where they nearly won the quadruple. In the end, they only managed to win the cup competitions. But there was hope for another strong showing this term, which has not transpired thus far. The Reds have not defended either cup crown while having an uphill task to clinch a top-four finish. In addition, they might bow out of the UEFA Champions League this month.

On the other hand, Manchester United entered the ongoing campaign with a new manager. And Erik ten Hag seemed to have a daunting rebuild job on his hands after suffering defeats in his first two matches. But the Red Devils have been one of the best teams in Europe since then and have already won one trophy this season. And they are in a healthy position to finish in the top three.

Meanwhile, Liverpool might have some cause for optimism after keeping a clean sheet in four consecutive Premier League games. However, Manchester United will be a scary visiting team, thus setting up an intriguing tie. And ahead of the game, The Hard Tackle looks at three players who can be game-changers with their performances on Sunday.

Marcus Rashford

Who else but the most in-form player in the world to kick-start our list? After all, Marcus Rashford heads into every fixture these days with the spotlight firmly on him. And Sunday’s game between Liverpool and Manchester United will be no different.

The English international is in the form of his life and singlehandedly delivering the goods for Manchester United at times. And with Trent Alexander-Arnold enduring a horrendous season, Rashford will be licking his lips at the prospect of running riot at Anfield.

Off the pitch, the 25-year-old is a hot property, with Barcelona among his prospective suitors. On it, Rashford will be Manchester United’s biggest hope to overcome a potentially tricky test against Liverpool. And how he fares against Alexander-Arnold will go a long way in determining the game’s outcome.

In addition, Rashford will also look to test his ever-improving aerial abilities against the imposing Virgil van Dijk. And another successful showing will help the Barcelona target lead Manchester United to another impressive win.

Alisson Becker

Moving on to all things Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp will have many players he will look to on Sunday for inspiration. The German tactician will also be desperate to see some underperforming players pull their socks up. But Alisson Becker will inarguably be the most crucial figure for the Reds on Sunday.

The Brazilian international has been the best player for Liverpool this term, which tells you how bad the campaign has been for the Reds. But his form has also nosedived in the last few weeks, particularly since the season resumed after the World Cup.

The 30-year-old still remains the most dependable performer for Liverpool alongside Mohamed Salah. And with Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes being in ravishing form, Alisson needs to be at his vigilant best this weekend.

At the same time, his ability to play out from the back can help Liverpool tackle the Manchester United press. But if the visitors can somehow ramp up the pressure on Alisson, they will also come closer to beating his guard. So Alisson is arguably the most crucial player for the hosts on Sunday.

Luke Shaw

Mohamed Salah was the player to watch in our preview. And with the Egyptian international on the cusp of making history, he will have the spotlight on him. But we have gone with the man responsible for keeping him quiet on Sunday as our last pick. We are, of course, talking about Luke Shaw.

Like Marcus Rashford, Shaw has been a player reborn under the tutelage of Erik ten Hag. And the English international has become one of the biggest game-changers for Manchester United this term. At the same time, he is arguably the best left-back in the Premier League.

But the 27-year-old will have his hands full with Salah, who will likely be purposeful in his display on Sunday. So Shaw needs to be attentive in the face of Salah’s threat to keep the Liverpool attack – as a whole – at bay at Anfield. At the same time, his offensive output will also be under the scanner.

With Trent Alexander-Arnold under the pump and Salah unlikely to chip in with a lot of defensive work, Shaw and Rashford can combine to wreak havoc in the final third. And his trademark crosses will create a lot of danger for Liverpool. Expect another top-notch performance by the English defender.