Liverpool vs Man Utd: Premier League team news and prediction
Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool welcome Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United to Anfield on Sunday. Liverpool have picked up form in recent weeks and have the top four firmly in their sights, while United will be determined to keep pressure on the top two.
Ahead of this one, we provide the necessary pre-match information, including where to watch the top of the table clash, team news and probable XIs.
When is kick off?
Sunday 5th March, 16:30 GMT
Where is the match?
Anfield, Liverpool
What TV channel is it on?
Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League, Sky App
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Form Guide
Liverpool are unbeaten in their last four Premier League games after beating Wolves 2-0 on Wednesday night, though they have not gone five games in a row unbeaten in the league this season. A defeat to Leeds in October has been their only loss at Anfield in the league this term.
Manchester United qualified for the next round of the FA Cup with a 3-1 win over West Ham in midweek. Since the World Cup, they have lost one and drawn two of their Premier League games, winning the other seven. Away from home, only five teams have conceded more goals in the league than United (20) this season.
Team news
Calvin Ramsey has been ruled out for the rest of the season, while Thiago and Luis Diaz remain sidelined due to injury. Naby Keita suffered a knock against Crystal Palace, so will have to be assessed before this game. Joe Gomez will likely remain out with a muscle injury, while Arthur remains a doubt.
Donny van de Beek is ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury, while Christian Eriksen may not return to action until April at the earliest with an ankle injury. Anthony Martial also continues to be sidelined with injury. Luke Shaw missed out against West Ham in the FA Cup due to injury, so will have to be assessed before this game, though is likely to start. Jadon Sancho also missed that game against West Ham through illness, and faces a late check.
Probable XIs
Liverpool (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Bajcetic; Salah, Gakpo, Jota
Man Utd (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Fred; Antony, Fernandes, Rashford; Weghorst
Key battle: Andrew Robertson vs Luke Shaw
It’s the battle of the full-backs as two of the best in the league look to help guide their side to victory in this heavyweight clash.
Andrew Robinson’s form has somewhat gone under the radar this season, with his club’s poor form likely a reason behind this. However, Robinson has continued to impress across the pitch. No defender can better his return for assists (5) this season, which also ranks as the fifth highest value in the league, while his 34 key passes and 38 accurate crosses also rank highly. Defensively, the Scotland international is only being dribbled past every 159.6 minutes, making him a difficult player to get past.
Luke Shaw has continued to improve at United, especially this season under Ten Hag. He is currently the best rated left-back (6.92) in the Premier League this season and he too has a decent return of 1.1 key passes per game. He is averaging 1.3 interceptions per game, which ranks highly in the league, and has a credible 57.1% aerial duel success rate and 82.9% tackle success rate.
This fixture has produced 18 goals in the last four Premier League meetings, so expect quite an end-to-end game, and given the qualities both defensively and offensively of Robertson and Shaw, they are both in for a Sunday afternoon.
Score prediction: Liverpool 3-2 Man Utd
