Table-topping Liverpool travel to an out-of-form Manchester United on Sunday on the brink of equalling Manchester City’s 18-game winning streak.
Photo Copyright Steve Haag Sport – Hollywoodbets
Manchester United vs Liverpool
Sunday 20 October
Old Trafford
17:30
To Win
Man United 36/10
Draw 29/10
Liverpool 7/10
Manchester United
The season isn’t going well for Manchester United at present as they are currently slumped in 12th place in the Premier League with just nine points in eight games after a series of demoralising results. To make matters worse, their football is as dire as their results. It seems a far cry from the first weekend of the season when they smashed Chelsea 4-0 at Old Trafford.
Before the international break, the Red Devils succumbed to their third league defeat of the season to Newcastle, which saw Solskjaer’s side drop into the bottom half of the table, just two points off the relegation zone.
Solskjaer is under increasing pressure to deliver performances at United and some reports claim that executive vice chairman Ed Woodward may sack him should Liverpool run riot at Old Trafford. United’s 3-1 defeat at Anfield last December sealed Jose Mourinho’s fate and the Norwegian will hope not to suffer the same destiny as he did.
Solskjaer is still loved by majority United fans, but that could change if things continue the way they are. But there’s been little cause for optimism or suggestion that the tide is about to turn, with the Red Devils still a shadow of what they once were.
The Norwegian has just two wins from his last 13 league games in charge and United have made their worst start to a league season in 30 years. Paul Pogba has gone back to being the anonymous presence he was under Mourinho, Marcus Rashford has been largely dreadful and David de Gea looks a shadow of his former self.
There is hope Anthony Martial will be available for selection against Liverpool but no guarantee as of yet. The Frenchman started the season on fire as he scored twice and got an assist in the first three games.
Liverpool
Liverpool are unbeaten in the league and are yet to drop a single point, boasting a 100 per cent win record with 24 points already amassed, putting themselves eight points clear of champions Manchester City.
Klopp’s title hopefuls have already had impressive victories over Arsenal and Chelsea and are on a run of 17 league wins in a row. It comes as no surprize that the Reds are strong favourites to beat United, which will see them equal City’s Premier League record of 18 successive wins, but here’s the interesting part: Klopp has never won at Old Trafford as Liverpool manager.
You have to go back to the 2013/14 season for Liverpool’s last Premier League win at Old Trafford when a Brendan Rodgers side claimed a 3-0 victory, courtesy of two Steven Gerrard penalties and a Luis Suarez strike. That was only their second league win in their last 11 trips to United.
Despite their poor record at Old Trafford, the Reds will still have high hopes of beating a United team that’s winless in three games and haven’t scored more than one goal in a match since beating Chelsea 4-0 in their season opener.
Mohamed Salah is believed to be confident of being fit for the trip to Old Trafford. There have been fears he would miss the game after he suffered an ankle injury against Leicester last time out, but according to reports, the Egyptian is increasingly hopeful of starting on Sunday.
Salah hasn’t been at his sparkling best so far this season, but he is still a hugely important player for Klopp and having him available would be a huge boost. Reports also claim first-choice goalkeeper Alisson is intensifying his efforts to be fit for Sunday.
Salah and Sadio Mane have nine goals and four assists between them in the league and the pair will look to wreak havoc on the United defence.
Probable line-ups:
Man United: 4-3-3
De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Young; McTominay, Pogba, Mata; James, Rashford, Pereira.
Liverpool: 4-3-3
Adrian; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Wijnaldum, Henderson; Salah, Firmino, Mane.
Verdict: Mane to Score Anytime & Liverpool to Win (TBA)
Liverpool should get the better of this United team. Klopp’s men look unstoppable right now, while Solskjaer’s side look completely toothless in attack and incapable of scoring any goals. The away win looks a top bet, but for more value, I suggest using Hollywoodbets’ Price Boost & Specials and get on Mane to Score Anytime & Liverpool to win at TBA.
Written by Chad Nagel for Hollywoodbets
