The Big Match: Liverpool v Man Utd stats, team news, predictions & TV channel

Premier League: Liverpool v Man Utd

Where to watch

Sky Sports Main Event & Premier League, 4.30pm Sunday

Match odds

Evs Liverpool, 13-5 Man Utd, 14-5 draw

Form

Achieving consistent results has been difficult for every club in such an unusual season but Manchester United have cracked it over the last ten weeks – taking 29 points from their last 11 Premier League games.

The Red Devils have dropped just two points in eight Premier League away fixtures and haven't been defeated on their top-flight travels since a 2-0 loss to Liverpool in January 2020.

United have had a recent knack of winning tight games. Each of their last four victories has been achieved by a single goal and the latest - Tuesday's 1-0 success at Burnley - saw them move three points clear of Liverpool at the top of the table.

Liverpool have been stuttering at a period of the season when they might have expected to kick-on.

Maximum points would have been their target from the three fixtures since Christmas but they suffered a series of disappointments – drawing at home to West Brom and away to Newcastle and losing 1-0 at Southampton.

However, a victory over United would see them return to the top on goal difference.

Team news

Key Liverpool defender Joel Matip faces a late fitness test while Virgil Van Dijk and Joe Gomez are long-term absentees. Konstantinos Tsimikas, Diogo Jota and Naby Keita have not featured this year.

Nemanja Matic and Anthony Martial are major doubts for United suffering injuries in the 1-0 win at Burnley but Eric Bailly started against the Clarets. Facundo Pellistri remains unavailable.

The tactical battle

Liverpool are used to coming up against massed defences in home games and nothing is likely to change against Manchester United, who are likely to sit deep and try to use their pace on the counter-attack.

Jordan Henderson was deployed as a makeshift centre-back at Southampton but his presence was missed in midfield and it would be no surprise to see him switch back to a more familiar role.

If that is to be achieved, Jurgen Klopp will either need to select one of his young defenders- Rhys Williams or Nat Phillips - or take a risk on the fitness of Joel Matip, who has missed the last three weeks.

United are likely to make at least two changes after Martial and Matic suffered injuries against Burnley but creative midfielders Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes could start together for the fourth successive league game.

Verdict

United have been ruthlessly efficient against lesser opposition but they have taken just two points from four games against big-six sides, all of them at Old Trafford, and could be found wanting in their first massive away league game of the campaign.

Liverpool have endured a sticky patch over recent weeks but have taken ten points from 12 against big-six opposition and their outstanding front three of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane may be too hot for United to handle.

Key stats

• Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 67 Premier League home games
• United have failed to win any of their last seven matches against big-six opponents
• Five of Liverpool's last six home games against United have featured fewer than three goals
• United have scored just one goal on their last five visits to Anfield

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