Liverpool vs Manchester United on Sunday has led to plenty of predictions from pundits.
The Reds take on their bitter rivals in the Premier League clash at Anfield this weekend. Liverpool are in sixth place in the table and are six points adrift of the top four spots with a game in hand.
Jurgen Klopp and his players will be hoping for a much better result than the previous meeting against Man United. The Reds suffered a 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford in August, with Mohamed Salah scoring a consolation goal.
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Former Liverpool star Steve McManaman has explained why he thinks that his former club will not lose on Sunday. McManaman has been joined by the likes of Paul Merson, Chris Sutton and Glen Johnson in handing out their predictions for the match.
“I think Liverpool will win and I only say that because they’re at home. I just don’t think they’ll lose at home,” McManaman told Betfred.
“If Liverpool have a strong team out at Anfield, then I believe the fans will drag them home to be honest.
“When they played Chelsea a few weeks ago, before Chelsea were going through their really strange period, when Liverpool put their team out, people were claiming that it wasn’t strong enough and they still didn’t lose at home.
“I never believe that they will lose at Anfield in the Premier League because of the crowd and the magnitude of the game
“I’m not being anti Manchester United or pro Liverpool, but when I see derbies or huge games such as this, I will always favour the home team when the teams are quite close because I know what the atmosphere is like and I know what it’ll be like during the game.”
Paul Merson’s Liverpool vs Man United prediction
“This is how quickly football changes,” Merson told Sportskeeda. “You'd be surprised if Manchester United got beaten here. How many times have we been able to say that about this game in the last few years?
“The way Manchester United are playing, they will take the game to Liverpool. They are excellent on the counter and their players seem to make the right decisions whenever they break.
“United will want Liverpool to have a go at them so that they can hit them on the counter. Jurgen Klopp's side could play right into United's hands on Sunday.
“Marcus Rashford will be looking to put Trent Alexander-Arnold under pressure much like Vinicius Junior did in the Champions League a couple of weeks ago. If United beat Liverpool, their confidence will be high and they will keep themselves in the title race for now.
“A win would be massive for Liverpool as they will get closer to the top four with that. A couple of successive wins could be huge for them.
“Erik ten Hag seems to know exactly how to handle his players. Tactically, he is very good. In the Carabao Cup final, his substitutions were spot on and he made the right decisions. He killed the game at the right time by making some really good defensive substitutions.
“It just shows you that a club just needs a good manager to maximise their potential.
“As for Liverpool, Salah hasn't been good this season after signing a new contract. Both the Golden Boot winners from last season have been poor this term. Teams are always looking to silence Salah and that puts him at a disadvantage.
“Having said that, I wouldn't sell him at the end of the season though because unless Liverpool are sure they can get an upgrade, there is no point to it. But I do believe that there are plenty of players in Liverpool's midfield who need to go.
“All their Premier League rivals will strengthen in the summer and Liverpool will need to keep up. They'll need to rejig their setup because the current one is not working like it used to.”
Merson’s prediction: Liverpool 1-2 Man United
Chris Sutton’s Liverpool vs Man United prediction
"Manchester United were finding it tough against West Ham in the FA Cup on Wednesday but they changed the game when they brought on Casemiro and Marcus Rashford, and went up through the gears,” Sutton told BBC Sport.
"Liverpool don't seem able to do that at the moment and the turnaround – for different reasons, good and bad – for both teams since the start of season has been unbelievable really.
“Jurgen Klopp's side have kept a couple of clean sheets in a row now, against Crystal Palace and Wolves, which was important for them but it's really not that big a deal because neither of those teams offer much in attack, do they?
"Liverpool did the same last month when they beat Everton and 10-man Newcastle without conceding, but then they got hammered at home by Real Madrid.
“Put it this way, I don't think it means Liverpool will keep Rashford out on Sunday. They get dominated in midfield and are vulnerable at the back, and United will take advantage of that."
Sutton’s prediction: Liverpool 1-2 Man United
Glen Johnson’s Liverpool vs Man United prediction
“This is one of the biggest games in the calendar year,” Johnson told ICE 36. “When you’re under-performing, sometimes you need these big games because form can go out the window because the players realise how important it is.
“Let’s face it, Manchester United have been better than Liverpool this season. They are a team that has improved a lot under Erik ten Hag and will be going into this game full of confidence after winning the Carabao Cup on Sunday.
“I think United will go into the match as favourites, but playing such a massive game against old rivals could be exactly what Liverpool need to turn their league form around.
“Liverpool will know that they have to liven up or they will have a tough afternoon, which could play into their favour.”
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