It’s time for the clash of the titans once again. Neither Liverpool nor Manchester United can afford to lose the big game on Monday, as the two most successful clubs in English football look to engage in a vicious and spectacular battle
After a bright start, the Red Devils are currently wallowing in seventh place on the Premier League table. Just one league win from their last four games has put the club against the ropes and they come up against a rampaging Liverpool. The Reds are currently on a four-game winning streak.
Probable line-ups & Tactics
Liverpool
Liverpool have been dealt a double injury blow ahead of the game, with midfielders Adam Lallana and Georginio Wijnaldum ruled out of action. This may adversely effect the chemistry that has built up among the Reds players.
The pacy, hard-pressing, high-octane style of play is something that can only be implemented by a well drilled unit. In this regard Lallana and Wijnaldum will be missed, but Klopp has enough cards on his deck to negate the loss. The team will as usual press high and sting hard on Monday.
Emre Can is expected to return to action, while this could prove to be an opportunity for Klopp to unleash one out of his three man strike-force of Daniel Sturridge, Divock Origi and Danny Ings. Origi could be a good option for Liverpool, as the pacy, strong striker will fit well into the game plan.
Probable Starting XI (4-2-3-1): Karius; Clyne, Matip, Lovren, Milner; Can, Henderson; Mane, Firmino, Coutinho; Origi
Manchester United
The Red Devils will be boosted by the return of last season’s Bundesliga player of the year Henrikh Mkhitaryan and prodigious left-back Luke Shaw. However, manager Jose Mourinho could end up benching the pair, in favour of playing the starting XI who played the last two games.
Mourinho teams are regarded for their defensive acumen, and the Portuguese will stress on this area heading into the game. The lightning fast attacking threat of Liverpool means that the Red Devils could be pushed back, and in such a scenario holding a tight defensive line is crucial.
The onus will be on the more physical players of the Man United team like Paul Pogba, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Chris Smalling and Eric Bailly to snuff out Klopp’s gegenpressing tactics. United will look to get into the opposition half often and try to exploit Liverpool’s high line of play.
Probable Starting XI (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Shaw, Bailly, Smalling, Valencia; Herrera, Pogba; Martial, Mata, Rashford; Ibrahimovic
Key Stats
- There have been sixteen red cards shown in this fixture in the Premier League era
- Man United have won their last four league games against Liverpool
- Jurgen Klopp has lost to Jose Mourinho just once in five matches against the Portuguese manager. The German manager has come out on top thrice with one game ending in a draw
- The Reds haven’t kept a clean sheet in their last nine league games
- There hasn’t been a draw in this Premier League fixture in the past five years
Player to watch out for
Paul Pogba
The world’s most expensive player failed to announce his arrival at the Manchester derby, and this game provides him with the best opportunity to exorcise those demons.
Pogba was raised in the Manchester United academy and so will full well know the veracity of this particular rivalry. The 23-year-old has drawn comparisons to Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson of late as well, and this is one personal rivalry that could usher in the dawn of a new era in this clash of kings.
Betting tips
The clash of two of the most iconic clubs in the history of not only England but the whole footballing world. And now, after a certain while, the fixture boasts of two of the best managers in the world in Mourinho and Klopp.
Honestly, Liverpool are in menacing form and their results against other top sides should have Manchester United edgy.
The new manager at Manchester United is not so new when it comes to rivalries. Mourinho’s big match record is a testament to his reputation as one of world’s best and he has the chance to prove it once again as he prepares for the biggest match yet of his Manchester United reign.
Favourable Bets :
1. Over 2.5 Match Goals @ 1.75
2. Manchester United Team Corners Over 4.5 @ 1.72
Underdog Bets :
1. Manchester United win @ 3.50
2. Absurd Correct Score Liverpool 2 – 4 Manchester United @ 67.00
3. Over 4.5 Match Goals @ 5.50
4. Both Teams to Score in First Half @ 4.00
Prediction
Liverpool 2-2 Manchester United
A battle between two of the biggest rivals in Europe, this game promises to be one hell of a match up. Although Manchester United have dominated the fixture in recent history, Liverpool are now resurgent under the eccentric Jurgen Klopp.
The Reds head into the game in blazing hot form, while the Red Devils have blown hot and cold this season. It should prove to be a very physical, end to end, exciting affair. A draw seems to be on the cards, as the two sides burn each other out.
