Michael Owen believes Manchester United would be ‘relieved’ to lose 2-0 at Liverpool this weekend, after the club’s 7-0 defeat at Anfield last season.
Manchester United travel to face Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday, in the first meeting between the teams since that record-breaking scoreline.
Erik ten Hag’s side suffered their joint-heaviest ever competitive defeat at Liverpool in March, and arrive to face their North-West rivals this weekend with a number of injuries and suspensions. Owen, who played for both clubs, believes the visitors will feel ‘nervous’ going into the game.
“I’d say Man Utd will be a little bit nervous about going to Anfield considering their recent form,” Owen said speaking to BoyleSports, who offer the latest Premier League Odds.
“My concern with Manchester United is that they’ll go to Anfield and lose 2-0, then a few players will be relieved that it wasn’t a 5-0 embarrassment! If I were them, I would pick a way of playing, stick to it, and then hope to get better.
“I’d say 2-0 to Liverpool. It’ll be a reasonably comfortable win. Look at how the two teams are playing at the moment!”
Owen believes the rivalry between the teams remains the biggest in English football, despite Manchester United’s decline since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement a decade ago.
“I still think that Man United vs Liverpool is still the biggest rivalry in English football due to the history. However, if Man City win 15 titles in the next 20 years, then history will point to them being the most decorated team.
“If I’m going on the size of the fanbases, histories, stadiums, and everything else surrounding those clubs, then I think more people will tune into Man United vs Liverpool than any other Premier League game. I think it’s still the biggest rivalry.”
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