MANCHESTER UNITED face one of their toughest assignments of the season today as they take on Liverpool at Anfield – and Marcus Rashford is on the BENCH.
Johnny Evans is in the United XI for Erik Ten Hag while Willy Kambwala, 19, is also on the bench.
- Kick-off time: 4.30pm GMT
- Stream/TV: Sky Sports Premier League
- Liverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Szoboszlai, Endo, Gravenberch; Salah, Nunez, Diaz.
- Man Utd XI: Onana, Evans, Shaw, Diogo Dalot, Varane, Amrabat, McTominay, Mainoo, Garnacho, Højlund, Antony.
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Weight of the world on Dutchman
Erik ten Hag heads into this game under pressure more than any other point in his Man Utd tenure.
Questions about his future are asked every week lately.
While he seems calm about the situation, a heavy defeat today could seal his fate.
Credit: Alamy Man Utd subs:
1. Bayindir, 53. Kambwala, 15. Reguilon, 28. Pellistri, 29. Wan-Bissaka, 44. Gore, 46. Hannibal, 28. Pellistri, 34. van de Beek, 10. Rashford
Man Utd starting XI:
Erik ten Hag makes two changes from the side in midweek as he brings in Evans for Maguire and Mainoo for Fernandes.
24. Onana, 20. Dalot, 35. Evans, 19. Varane, 23. Shaw, 37. Mainoo, 39. McTominay, 4. Amrabat, 21. Antony, 11. Hojlund, 17. Garnacho
Credit: @ManUtd
Liverpool subs:
13. Adrian, 62. Kelleher, 2. Gomez, 17. Jones, 18. Gakpo, 19. Elliott, 53. McConnell, 78. Quansah, 84. Bradley
Liverpool starting XI:
Alexis Mac Allister is unfit for this game so Jurgen Klopp has to shuffle the pack.
1. Alisson, 66. Alexander-Arnold, 4. van Dijk, 5. Konate, 21. Tsimikas, 8. Szoboszlai, 38. Gravenberch, 3. Endo, 7. Diaz, 9. Nunez, 11. Salah
Credit: @LFC Dutch manager positive on chances
Despite being massive underdogs, ten Hag is focussed on the task ahead.
I’m focussing on the process, making the team better and that’s my concern. That’s what I’m focussing on, the right thing, and that’s the team. There is no concern because I’m here to win and I have to make the team play better. Good is not good enough, we are inconsistent and I have to work on how the team will play
Erik ten Hag
Liverpool massive favourites for encounter
The bookies cannot see anything other than a home victory today.
Liverpool – 3/10
Draw – 7/2
Man United – 6/1
All match odds brought to you by Betfair.
Manager under spotlight for key game
The Red Devils were embarrassed by bottom-half Bournemouth last weekend after being thrashed 3-0 in front of their home fans.
And then things went from bad to worse for United as a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Bayern Munich saw them go crashing out of Europe just a few days later.
As a result, Ten Hag’s time at Old Trafford has come under serious scrutiny and SunSport understands Graham Potter is being lined up as a shock replacement should the Dutchman get kicked to the curb.
Season defining game for Red Devils
While nobody gives Erik ten Hag’s side a chance in today’s match-up, if they were to get a result, it could act as a springboard to their season.
Coming away from Anfield having not been beaten would be a huge confidence boost.
That said, heavy defeat could have the complete opposite effect and send United into a spiral over a busy Christmas fixture period.
Trent could play key role for Klopp
Should Man Utd look to try and ‘shut up shop’ from the off today, unlocking their defence could be huge.
In Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool have one of the best passers of the ball in the Premier League.
Supporting the attacks from right back could give Liverpool an overload of numbers and his pinpoint passing could be integral in Jurgen Klopp’s side getting the opening goal.
Credit: EPA Goals an issue for ten Hag’s side
Only five teams in the Premier League have scored less goals than Man Utd this season.
Their total of 18 goals in 16 games is one of their lowest returns at this point in the season.
It is underpinned by the fact that Scott McTominay is their top scorer this season.
United’s slide continues in league
With other sides having already played their games this weekend, Man Utd are likely to start this game 9th in the Premier League.
They will start this crunch fixture 10 points behind Liverpool.
Defeat would put serious doubt on their capabilities of securing a Champions League spot this campaign.
Tactics key for visitors’ chances
Erik ten Hag will need to pull off a tactical masterclass if Man Utd are going to get anything out of this game.
It will be key that they need to create a solid backline and frustrate Liverpool for the first half hour or so.
Should Jurgen Klopp’s side get an early goal, you have to fear for Man Utd at Anfield this afternoon.
Credit: Alamy A tale of two strikers
Due to the unavailability of Anthony Martial, Erik ten Hag may need to deploy Marcus Rashford as an out and out striker.
Liverpool are likely to play Nunez with Salah and Diaz either side of him.
The two players’ form has been drastically different this season.
Reds looking to keep momentum going
Having seen results go their way last weekend, Liverpool ended the weekend top of the Premier League table for the first time this season.
Should Arsenal or Aston Villa win their games this afternoon, they would knock The Reds off the top of the table.
Jurgen Klopp will be keen to get victory against their rivals today to ensure his side remain at the top of the pile.
Boss focussed on tough game against rivals
The German manager has outlined what he wants from his side today.
The 7-0 we knew on the day was a freakish result that happens once in life pretty much. And if it helps anybody for the next game, it’s the team who lost 7-0 and not the team who won 7-0, that’s another thing. If you take it all out of consideration then we just play a football game against the rival, the historical rival, of Liverpool FC, at home at Anfield.
Jurgen Klopp
United dismantled by in-form Bournemouth
In their last league fixture, Man Utd were comprehensively beaten 3-0 at home against The Cherries.
Erik ten Hag’s side looked frail in defence and many questions have been asked since.
With such a huge task ahead against Liverpool, it is hard to see the visitors troubling The Reds.
Red Devils nursing wounds from mauling
Last season, Liverpool destroyed Man Utd in this fixture, recording a record 7-0 victory.
Heading into this game, lots of talk has been about that defeat and with Erik ten Hag’s side in a bad place many are predicting another heavy defeat.
Klopp’s attack looks very capable of opening up the best of defences and with the atmosphere at Anfield, this is going to be a daunting task for the visitors.
Welcome to Liverpool vs Man Utd
Liverpool face Man Utd at Anfield in one of the fiercest rivalries in Premier League history, with Jurgen Klopp’s side looking to cement their position at the top of the table.
Joel Matip, Stefan Bajcetic, Andrew Robertson, Thiago Alcantara and Diogo Jota are all working their way back from injury and will be unavailable for this massive game.
Alexis Mac Allister will also miss this game due to a knee wound he picked up against Sheff Utd.
Jurgen Klopp’s side managed to com through their European exploits without picking up any more injuries, so come into this game with a strong squad available.
That is more than can be said for Man Utd who suffered injuries to Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw as they bombed out of Europe, suffering defeat against Bayern Munich at Old Trafford.
Erik ten Hag is expecting Marcus Rashford and Luke Shaw to be available for this game, but will be without Anthony Martial, Mason Mount, Jadon Sancho, Amad Diallo, Christian Eriksen, Lisandro Martinez, Casemiro and Tyrell Malacia due to injury.
Victor Lindelof is touch and go and will undergo a late fitness test to see if he can be part of the manager’s plans for the trip to Anfield.
Bruno Fernandes picked up a fifth yellow card of the season against Bournemouth and will be suspended for this game.
Mason Mount continues his rehabilitation from injury meaning that either Kobbie Mainoo or Hannibal Mejbri will fill in the middle of the park, unless ten Hag springs a surprise by giving Donny van de Beek a rare outing.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
