Liverpool versus Manchester United is the biggest match on the Premier League calendar every season.
English football’s two most successful clubs meet again on Sunday for the latest contest in a fierce rivalry that goes back several decades.
Ten points separate the league leaders from Erik ten Hag’s struggling side, who are aiming to get their campaign back on track after being eliminated from the Uefa Champions League during the week.
These meetings don’t always live up to the hype, but will Liverpool and Man United serve up a spectacle at Anfield? Here is everything you need to know ahead of the game.
Liverpool vs Man United – Premier League Match Preview
Form
Liverpool: WWWWL
It’s been an excellent start to the season for Jürgen Klopp’s men, who have positioned themselves for a title tilt.
The Reds are unbeaten in their last nine Premier League matches, dating back to a controversial defeat to Tottenham in September.
Since then, Liverpool seem to have rediscovered their hunger and mentality. In just the past few league games, the club snatched a draw late on at reigning champions Manchester City, before pulling off two dramatic late comeback victories over Fulham and Crystal Palace.
Liverpool really scored two late comeback winners in a week ???? pic.twitter.com/uCkrwlv90S
— B/R Football (@brfootball) December 9, 2023
Trent Alexander-Arnold is also playing like his former self once again; the right-back scored decisive goals against both City and Fulham and is enjoying a stellar campaign.
Manchester United: DLWLL
Things aren’t quite going so well for Man United. After a top three finish and a Carabao Cup win, Erik ten Hag’s side were expected to kick on in the 2023/24 season.
But the Red Devils currently sit in sixth place, 10 points behind their fellow red rivals, having already been eliminated from both the Carabao Cup and Champions League.
Despite a string of wins keeping United in the hunt for the top six, performances are yet to improve this season.
New signings haven’t quite worked out just yet and pressure is mounting upon Ten Hag. A win against Chelsea at Old Trafford is their only victory in their previous five; they come into this on the back of defeats to Newcastle, Bournemouth and Bayern Munich.
A night to forget for Manchester United ????
They're eliminated from all European competitions after finishing last in their UCL group, and also lose defenders Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw to injury in the process.
Next up: Liverpool at the weekend. pic.twitter.com/UehyvuCvjS
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 12, 2023
Last Meeting
Liverpool 7-0 Manchester United, March 5th 2023
It’s impossible to forget what happened the last time these footballing powerhouses went head-to-head.
4-0 and 5-0 victories for Liverpool in the 2021/22 season may have been all the Anfield faithful could have ever hoped for.
But after a 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford, Klopp’s side were out to assert their dominance over their rivals back on Merseyside in March.
A Cody Gakpo strike had the Reds a goal to the good at half-time, before the hosts well and truly flexed their muscles in the second half.
Making United look like schoolboys, Anfield could hardly believe what it was witnessing as Gakpo, Darwin Nunez and Mo Salah all grabbed a brace each, with Roberto Firmino completing the rout.
Unfortunately for United, it equalled the record for their biggest ever defeat. Ten Hag needs a much better result than that this weekend.
Predicted Lineups
Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, van Dijk, Quansah, Tsimikas; Endo, Szoboszlai, Jones; Salah, Nunez, Diaz.
Manchester United: Onana; Dalot, Varane, Evans, Shaw; Amrabat, Mainoo, McTominay; Rashford, Højlund, Garnacho.
Who is the referee?
Michael Oliver.
Is Liverpool vs Manchester United on TV?
UK and Ireland: Sky Sports Main Event
USA: fuboTV and Peacock
What time is kick-off?
Sunday 17th December, 16:30 GMT
Odds
Liverpool – 1/3
Draw – 19/4
Man United – 7/1
Read – Ten Hag insists he retains backing of Man United board
See Also – Klopp admits 7-0 win over Man United was ‘freakish’
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