Manchester United and Liverpool face each other for the 52nd time in the Premier League this weekend and there is once again big stakes on the line in the Northwest derby.
While the title may be beyond both sides this season, the battle for a runner-up finish is well and truly on with the second-place Red Devils and the third-placed Reds separated by just two points in the table.
But which manager faces the biggest injury problems, how could the referee influence proceedings at Old Trafford, who enters the game in better form and can history tell us anything about the likeliest outcome? Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Saturday’s 12.30pm kickoff…
What History Tells Us
Throughout the Premier League era, Manchester United have claimed a huge 42 points more than Liverpool in this fixture, accordingly boasting better returns for goals scored and clean sheets – however, they have received two more red cards.
Perhaps that shouldn’t be a surprise considering the few occasions in which Liverpool have actually finished above United in a Premier League season, but the Red Devils’ dominance has been mostly felt in recent years, winning seven of the last twelve and losing just two.
United’s win-rate at Old Trafford is far superior to Liverpool’s as well, but the big concern for the neutrals is whether this game will be reduced to yet another uneventful draw. The last three top flight meetings have all ended with a point apiece, with neither side scoring in both of the visits to Anfield Jose Mourinho has presided over.
Referee Influence – Craig Pawson
The appointment of Craig Pawson doesn’t spell particularly good news for either side based on their recent encounters with the 38-year-old; Pawson infamously awarded an incredibly soft penalty to hand Everton a 1-1 draw in the Merseyside derby at Anfield earlier this season, while the last United fixture he officiated was the shock 1-0 defeat to Newcastle at St. James’ Park.
More troubling for United though is the maudlin approach Pawson has shown in the Premier League this season, ranking in the top nine for fouls per tackle, fouls per game, yellow cards per game and penalties per game. While the home side are fourth in the Premier League’s foul charts, Liverpool are a lowly 17th.
But in a derby that will implore full-blooded challenges and drama, Pawson’s returns this season are a warning for both sides not to cross the line. A few too many bookings or a sending off will make a huge difference in a clash between two teams of such similar quality.
Form Guide
It’s Liverpool who enter this fixture in better form – they’ve lost just once in the Premier League since October – but there isn’t a great deal to choose between them and United from the last six games. Both have won four of those, with Liverpool picking up one draw compared to the Red Devils’ two defeats.
The Reds have also scored more goals and kept more clean sheets, although United have faced Chelsea in that time as well as Tottenham, whereas the rest of Liverpool’s opposition have all been members of the relegation battle – the likes of Newcastle, West Ham and Huddersfield.
In terms of firepower though, Mohamed Salah is finding the net more frequently than Romelu Lukaku at the minute, and much of Jose Mourinho’s focus on Saturday will be on stopping the Egyptian attacker marauding through his defence before slotting past David De Gea.
Team News
It’s certainly Mourinho who has to contend with the bigger injury issues this weekend. Despite Scott McTominay’s impressive form, Ander Herrera and Maurouane Fellaini would both likely be starting ahead of him on Saturday if they were fully fit – the former is not expected to be part of the squad, but the latter could return to the bench.
There is a boost in defence, however, with Eric Bailly now back to full health after a lengthy layoff. It seems unlikely that Mourinho would rush the young centre-back into the starting XI for such an important game, though.
Accordingly then, we’re expecting Manchester United to stick with the same starting XI that pulled off the 3-2 comeback against Crystal Palace on Monday night. However, don’t be too surprised to see England duo Luke Shaw and Marcus Rashford replace Ashley Young and Jesse Lingard respectively although we believe they’ll be overlook.
They’re probably the key positions for United this weekend; whoever starts at left-back will need to contain Mohamed Salah, and whoever starts on the right wing will need to provide an outlet on the break.
Jurgen Klopp, meanwhile, faces a few late injury concerns heading into Saturday’s game, with Andrew Robertson and captain Jordan Henderson both doubts – the former was left out in midweek against FC Porto, while the latter lasted the full ninety minutes but suffered a dead leg.
But we’re expecting those players to play through the pain in order to take part in arguably the biggest game of Liverpool’s season, while the usual suspects from Liverpool’s regular Premier League starting XI look set to return to the fold.
In total, we’re anticipating five changes from the side that couldn’t score against Porto at Anfield on Tuesday night.
[ad_pod ]
