Manchester United vs Liverpool Preview: Team News, Lineups, Match Facts, and Prediction

Manchester United vs Liverpool Preview

The clash between Manchester United vs Liverpool has been dubbed as the English El Clasico, as the competition between both clubs for trophies has been neck-to-neck, and both clubs have dominated the English footballing scene for decades. Current form cannot be used to judge how these teams will fare, as both clubs play above their potential to win, and a draw is not accepted by both clubs. The media bytes given by United have been confident enough, while Liverpool are grappling with the fact that they are out of the Champions League after the group stage.

This draw comes after a tumultuous year for both sides, where Liverpool had started to scale the paths of old, coming second after their blowing their chance to win the title and qualifying for the Champions League. Manchester United were struggling in all competitions last season, but have bounced back this season, with the appointment of Louis van Gaal and the purchase of top players to add quality to the squad. Liverpool, on the other hand, fell after the sale of Luis Suarez to FC Barcelona, as the club were unable to get a player with similar quality while spending to get more players – Dejan Lovren, Adam Lallana, Mario Balotelli, Emre Can, among others – to add to a small squad. Manchester United tried to shed some of the dead weight by trying to sell some of their players, without success, as they added top players such as Angel di Maria, Daley Blind, Radamel Falcao to lift the side from the mediocrity that it had settled into. The roles that had been set for both sides at the beginning of the season have been reversed, as Manchester United have gone from strength to strength, while Liverpool have lapsed so far.

The defence of both sides have never been as weak as they are now. Both sides have always had good defences to support their attacks, but they have struggled to keep clean sheets. A glut of goals could be expected, with the quality of the attackers on both sides. It will be a battle between Angel di Maria for United and Raheem Sterling for Liverpool to constantly provide the ball to the attackers of their own sides respectively, to score and put themselves ahead.

Manchester United vs Liverpool: Team News

United will be without Angel Di Maria, Luke Shaw, Chris Smalling and Daley Blind through injury, but Phil Jones and Rafael are available again. Van Gaal also hinted that Radamel Falcao could return to action after being an unused substitute at St Mary’s Stadium.

Liverpool remain without injured striker Daniel Sturridge, which has been a big blow to their side, but Rodgers reported that Adam Lallana is in good shape after a rib problem and Mario Balotelli could return from a groin strain.

Manchester United vs Liverpool: Match Facts

• Only Everton v Liverpool (20) has had more red cards than Liverpool v Manchester United of all fixtures in Barclays Premier League history (15).
• Steven Gerrard has scored more goals as an away player at Old Trafford than any other player in the BPL (5).
• Only Everton v Liverpool (20) has had more red cards than Liverpool v Manchester United of all fixtures in Barclays Premier League history
• Liverpool’s haul of 21 points is their fourth lowest in Premier League history at this stage of the season. They had 19 points in 1992-93, 2010-11 and 2012-13.

From SkySports (Opta)

Manchester United vs Liverpool: Lineups

Manchester United (4-4-2 diamond): David de Gea – Rafael, Phil Jones, Jonny Evans, Marcos Rojo (Tyler Blackett) – Michael Carrick, Marouane Fellaini, Angel di Maria, Juan Mata/Ander Herrera – Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie.

Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Simon Mignolet – Glen Johnson, Martin Skrtel, Dejan Lovren/Mamadou Sakho, Alberto Moreno – Steven Gerrard/Emre Can, Jordan Henderson – Adam Lallana, Coutinho, Raheem Sterling – Rickie Lambert.

Manchester United vs Liverpool: Prediction

A 3-1 win to the home side, Manchester United.