Man Utd v Liverpool predictions: Rivals to turn on the style at Old Trafford

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Manchester Utd v Liverpool in the Premier League.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Main Event & Premier League, 4.30pm Sunday

Best bet

Over 3.5 goals
1pt 7-5 Betfair

Team news

Manchester Utd
Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial are out. Fred, Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford are doubts

Liverpool
Harvey Elliott is out. Curtis Jones could return, Thiago Alcantara is a major doubt.

Match preview

Five months after bitter rivals Manchester United and Liverpool played their parts in a six-goal Premier League thriller at Old Trafford expect more fun and games when these two giants clash again.

Jurgen Klopp came out on top in May, wildly celebrating a blistering 4-2 win, his first success at United in seven attempts.

And it would be no surprise if these attacking superpowers lay on another high-scoring goalfest when battle recommences.

Events of the last few weeks make Liverpool favourites, but Manchester United are simply far too inconsistent, and blessed with a strikeforce to die for they are not a side who can be written off completely. It looks a more open heat than the prices would suggest, but also one that should produce some goals.

It's true these juggernauts have from time to time cancelled each other out but right now they don't look like sides capable of playing for 0-0 draws.

Both Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Klopp boast abundant riches at the top end of their line-ups with weak spots at the back. The impulse would be to attack and that's certainly been the evidence of this season, with United's matches going at 3.2 goals per game, Liverpool's at 3.9.

Solskjaer has more to worry about given his side's mixed form over recent weeks. He doesn't know his best side nor his best tactics and it's anyone's guess how he lines up so soon after their crazy Jekyll-and-Hyde effort at home to Atalanta in the Champions League.

Chances are he'll be positive with a front four and be tempted to play Paul Pogba in one of the midfield roles, if only to play someone in there who can pass a ball.

Solskjaer will have seen Liverpool exposed at times by Atletico in the Merseysiders' 3-2 win in Madrid in Europe and be acutely aware that if he overloads out wide he can frighten Liverpool's defence to death.

At the other end of the pitch of course, Solskjaer will be crossing his fingers any time the ball goes anywhere near the final third. And Liverpool, whose own approach will never change, will endeavour to be on the front foot from the off.

The Reds are the division's top scorers by a street, with Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane combining for 16 goals. And United's one top-class defender, Raphael Varane, won't be playing.

United have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 12 home games and were torn apart by Leicester's pace last week.

Liverpool, in contrast, have scored three or more goals in each of their last eight away games and their last five matches have produced a mind-boggling 26 goals, eight of which they have conceded.

They are a long way from the real deal, United further still. Both bosses would take a 0-0 – but it's hard to see it happening.

Key stat

Liverpool have scored in both the first and second half in each of their last ten away games

Inside info

Manchester Utd

Penalty taker Ronaldo/Fernandes
Free-kick wizard Bruno Fernandes
Set-piece aerial threat Cristiano Ronaldo
Card magnet Paul Pogba

Liverpool

Penalty taker Mohamed Salah
Free-kick wizardTrent Alexander-Arnold
Set-piece aerial threatVirgil van Dijk
Card magnetJames Milner

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