Anfield forms the backdrop for Sunday’s Premier League main event as title favourites Liverpool and a beleaguered Manchester United renew hostilities in the battle for northern supremacy.
Arne Slot’s well-oiled red machines will welcome their northern nemesis to Merseyside, holding an insurmountable 23-point lead in the Premier League table as the Reds continue their relentless pursuit of the coveted prize.
Meanwhile, United cannot catch a break as they head to Merseyside on the back of three consecutive defeats, which now has Ruben Amorim’s troops looking nervously over their shoulder.
A mammoth crowd is expected at Anfield for the blockbuster fixture, so don’t be surprised if tickets are sold out in record time.
Luckily, fans can turn to the ever-reliable secondary marketplace – Seatsnet.com – to get tickets to the box office event at Anfield.
Match Preview
As Arsenal, Chelsea, and Nottingham Forest battle to claim the “best-of-the-rest” mantle, Liverpool continue to defy predictions of a mid-season slump under Slot.
The Reds ended 2024 in emphatic fashion, dismantling West Ham United 5-0 at the London Stadium on December 29 to extend their remarkable unbeaten run to 23 matches in all competitions.
Goals from Luis Diaz, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Diogo Jota, Mohamed Salah, and Cody Gakpo ensured Liverpool’s fourth consecutive victory across all tournaments.
Their dominance was a clear statement of intent, keeping them six points clear of second-placed Arsenal at the Premier League summit, with the added luxury of a game in hand.
The Reds’ last defeat remains a distant memory, inflicted by Nottingham Forest at Anfield in mid-September. Since then, Liverpool have maintained a breathtaking run of form, particularly in attack.
Slot’s side heads into Sunday’s fixture aiming to score at least twice for the 12th league game in a row – a feat that highlights their ruthless consistency in front of goal.
They were briefly exposed defensively during the festive schedule, but Liverpool’s clean sheet against West Ham was a timely reminder of their ability to tighten up when it matters most.
That result ended a four-match stretch without a shutout and confirmed their status as the league’s top-performing home team, surpassing even Brentford’s fortress-like reputation.
As Liverpool bask in the glory of a four-match winning streak across all competitions, their feeble foes, United, are entrenched in turmoil, reeling from a fourth successive defeat.
The latest blow came on December 30, when Newcastle United dismantled them 2-0 at Old Trafford, exposing deep vulnerabilities in the Red Devils’ camp.
A calamitous first half saw Newcastle’s Alexander Isak and Joelinton flaunt their aerial strengths to find the net with ease.
The nadir of the evening came with the early withdrawal of Joshua Zirkzee, whose substitution marginally improved United’s display but could not undo the early damage.
This marked United’s third consecutive league defeat at home, a grim feat last recorded in 1979.
With just seven points separating them from the relegation zone, many fans have begun wondering the unthinkable as conversations of United facing a relegation scrap emerge with the Red Devils sitting a lowly 14th.
The numbers paint an even bleaker picture. United’s failure to score in their last three matches against Bournemouth, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and now Newcastle leaves them on the brink of an unwanted record.
Not since 1909 have they lost four league games in succession without finding the net. Worse still, no Premier League-era United side has ever suffered four consecutive defeats in a single season.
Liverpool, meanwhile, are flying high. The Reds may have won just one of their last four meetings with United, but they’ll fancy their chances of capitalising on a beleaguered United side on Sunday.
Their last win against United was a 3-0 trouncing at Old Trafford in September, where Salah produced one of his customary Mancunian masterclasses.
Head to Head
For the first time since 1989, Liverpool and United will go head to head in a Premier League meeting on their opening game of a calendar year.
The last time that happened, United claimed a 3-1 win over their fierce rivals at Old Trafford on New Year’s Day, but repeating that feat some 36 years later might be a bridge too far for Amorim’s side, given their current form.
Liverpool boast an impressive record against their rivals, losing just once in their last 13 Premier League clashes (W7, D5). That defeat came in August 2022, a 2-1 loss at Old Trafford.
Anfield has been a fortress for Liverpool in this fixture. United are winless in their last eight league visits (D4, L4), their longest barren run since a nine-game streak between 1970 and 1979.
They’ve managed just one goal in their last eight league games at Anfield and haven’t scored in their last five trips.
Team News
Liverpool’s emphatic win over West Ham was slightly dampened by the hamstring injury sustained by Joe Gomez, who is expected to be sidelined for a few weeks.
However, Slot delivered positive news in his pre-game press conference, confirming that Ibrahima Konate and Conor Bradley are set to rejoin full training on Friday.
Despite their return, both players have been out for over a month, so the game against United could come too soon for them.
This likely means Jarell Quansah will continue to partner Virgil van Dijk at the heart of the defence for Sunday’s clash unless Konate can pass a late fitness test.
In midfield, Dominik Szoboszlai is available again after serving a suspension in the victory at the London Stadium.
However, Curtis Jones, fresh off assisting Salah’s 17th league goal of the season on December 29, will be reluctant to give up his spot in the starting XI.
Slot faces a welcome selection headache as Liverpool look to build on their recent form.
Meanwhile, United are set to welcome back midfield duo Manuel Ugarte and Bruno Fernandes, who return from suspensions.
Both players are expected to walk straight into the line-up after watching from the stands as Newcastle claimed all three points at Old Trafford.
Rising talent Kobbie Mainoo impressed during a rare start, stepping in for the visibly distraught Joshua Zirkzee. Mainoo could retain his spot alongside experienced Ugarte in the middle of the park.
Up front, Marcus Rashford’s participation remains uncertain due to illness, while the injury list continues to include Mason Mount, Victor Lindelof, and Luke Shaw.
Amorim faces a delicate balancing act as United aim to bounce back against the league leaders on Sunday.
Liverpool potential starting line-up:
(4-2-3-1): Alisson; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Virgil van Dijk, Andrew Robertson; Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister; Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai, Cody Gakpo; Luis Diaz.
Manchester United potential starting line-up:
(3-4-2-1): Andre Onana; Leny Yoro, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez; Noussair Mazraoui, Kobbie Mainoo, Manuel Ugarte, Diogo Dalot; Amad Diallo, Bruno Fernandes; Rasmus Hojlund.
