England’s two most successful teams, Manchester United and Liverpool, meet at Old Trafford riding two very contrasting waves.
In previous years, United’s come from behind 3-2 win over Atalanta in the Champions League would have been viewed as an unequivocal triumph.
Instead it has been positioned within the context of a club undergoing a crisis of identity, steered by a manager seemingly out of his depth and rescued by an ageing superstar whose presence disrupts the structure of the rest of the rest of the squad.
Liverpool also won 3-2 midweek, beating Spanish champions Atletico Madrid away from home. That victory, secured with a brace from the world’s in-form player Mohamed Salah, means that Jurgen Klopp’s men hav scored at least three goals in eight of their last nine matches.
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Their defence is still wobbly, and Virgil van Dijk has yet to rediscover the indomitability he demonstrated before his injury last season, but with a front three of Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino, being outscored is seldom a problem.
United’s defence has to find an extra gear. Captain Harry Maguire was at fault for just about every one of Leicester’s four goals last week and was again culpable against Atalanta. Unless he improves, this could get messy for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Date, kick-off time and venue
Manchester United vs Liverpool is scheduled for a 4:30pm BST kick-off on Sunday, October 23, 2021 at Old Trafford in Manchester.
Man United vs Liverpool team news
Manchester United have fitness doubts over both Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes following their to-and-fro clash with Atalanta in the Champions League.
“Games like Wednesday night are always going to bring knocks and bruises,” Solskjaer said at his pre-match press conference.
“We do have two or three from that game. Bruno might be one of them that is a doubt, but he’s doing everything he can to be ready.”
The usually stoic duo of Van Dijk and Joel Matip looked out of sorts at the Wanda Metropolitano on Tuesday. That could see one of Ibrahima Konate or Joe Gomez thrust into the heart of Liverpool’s defence to help deal with Ronaldo.
There are also questions in midfield as Jordan Henderson battled to keep pace in Spain, while Naby Keita was substituted at half-time despite getting on the scoresheet. There are also doubts over the fitness of Thiago Alcantara.
Man United vs Liverpool prediction
Back in May, Liverpool swept to a 4-2 win at Old Trafford, but tight, low scoring games are the usual fare whenever these two old rivals meet. United haven’t beaten Liverpool in the league since March 2018 - a run stretching six matches - and have won just one of their last 10 Premier League meetings with Liverpool.
They say form goes out the window in these titanic clashes, but recent head to head results, as well as the respective performances this season, points to a comfortable win for the visitors.
Manchester United 1-3 Liverpool.
Head to head (h2h) history and results
Premier League era
Manchester United wins: 28
Draws: 14
Liverpool wins: 16
Source: Eveningstandard