In a situation that few could have anticipated just weeks ago, Manchester United travels to Anfield this Sunday. They have a chance to narrow the gap on reigning champions Liverpool to just two points with a victory.
Arne Slot’s team went through a rough patch before the international break, suffering three straight losses in all competitions. In contrast, the Red Devils aim for their fourth win in their last six Premier League matches.
Liverpool: A Champion's Crisis of Confidence
Known for their late-game heroics, Liverpool has recently fallen victim to last-minute goals, losing back-to-back league matches in this manner. Their latest loss was a 2-1 defeat against Chelsea, which allowed Arsenal to take the top spot in the league. This match follows a surprising 1-0 loss in the Champions League to Galatasaray, where the Turkish team could have won by a larger margin.
Manchester United: A Cautious Revival and Hopes of Breaking a Curse
In contrast, the atmosphere at Manchester United is much more positive. While Liverpool assesses their recent losses, Ruben Amorim's side can celebrate two wins from their last three matches, the most recent being a solid 2-0 victory over Sunderland. Goals from Mason Mount and Benjamin Sesko moved United into the top half of the table. However, Amorim's biggest challenge remains his team's away performance, as they have not won any of their last eight league matches on the road.
Team News and Predicted Lineups
Liverpool has received a boost with news that both Ibrahima Konaté and Ryan Gravenberch are fit to play. However, they still have injuries affecting first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker and defender Giovanni Leoni.
Egyptian star Mohamed Salah will be eager to make an impact in this match, particularly since he has an impressive record against United. He has contributed to 19 goals, the highest for any player in this Premier League rivalry.
Salah will face a weakened United defense, with Lisandro Martínez still weeks away from returning and concerns about Noussair Mazraoui's fitness. However, manager Ruben Amorim confirmed that key players Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, Amad Diallo, and Matheus Cunha are available after receiving extra rest following international duty.
Liverpool Predicted Lineup:
Mamardashvili; Szoboszlai, Konaté, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Jones; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike.
Manchester United Predicted Lineup:
Lammens; Yoro, De Ligt, Shaw; Dalot, Fernandes, Ugarte, Dorgu; Mbeumo, Mount; Sesko.
