Liverpool vs Manchester United: Prediction, Preview & Betting Tips

Stranger things have happened in football, and with rivalry games, the old saying goes, “form goes out of the window”, but unfortunately for Manchester United fans, that will not be the case as we predict Liverpool to make easy work of their fiercest rivals.

Since the 1-0 defeat against Nottingham Forest, Liverpool have been unbeaten in their last eight Premier League games at Anfield, winning seven and drawing once, with wins against the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea during this run.

Manchester United are in freefall following their fourth consecutive defeat in all competitions and the third league game in a row where the Red Devils have failed to score. Manchester United have not won at Anfield since 2016 and have suffered heavy defeats against their rivals in recent years, with that expected to continue at the weekend.

Expect Mohamed Salah to be instrumental in this fixture. Mohamed Salah has an excellent record in this fixture, with 12 goals and five assists in 14 appearances against Manchester United.

The Red Devils are expected to be on the end of another heavy defeat to Liverpool here, but we are saying a 4-0 win for the league leaders.

Liverpool 4-0 Manchester United.

Arne Slot’s title-charging Liverpool side hosts a Manchester United side, potentially threatened by the prospect of relegation in the most prominent fixture on the footballing calendar.

Date: 05/01/2024
Location: Anfield, Liverpool.
Kick-Off: 4.30 pm

Replacing an already-established regime is never an easy task in football. Still, Liverpool Football Club’s appointment of Arne Slot has been a seemingly stress-free transition from Jurgen Klopp, and his first season promises a bundle of Silverware. Arne Slot has tactically tweaked the heavy metal combusting Liverpool side under Klopp and has turned the Reds into a calm yet calculated, ruthless winning machine. Liverpool have excelled on all fronts this season, which sees the Reds have a commanding lead in the Premier League, alongside a dominant performance in the UEFA Champions League, and a potential trip to Wembley awaits should they overcome Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup semi-final.

The home side has a favourable point gap at the top of the Premier League, as they sit eight points clear of their closest challengers, Nottingham Forest. Due to the postponement of the Merseyside derby, the Reds have a game in hand over their nearest rivals and look on course to win the Premier League table and equal the long-standing record of league titles held by their opponents, Manchester United.

A contrast of fortunes befits the visitors, as the once-formerly Kings of England now face being cast as the pauper, while the Red Devils are seemingly in another transitional phase, which could have disastrous consequences for the club. For the first time in over three decades, Manchester United are being faced with the possibility of relegation because of their league position, with points now vital for Ruben Amorim. His philosophy is yet to register with his players. Still, in his defence, the Manchester United squad is seemingly unfit for purpose, and the team needs another overhaul after being wasted on previous regimes.

Manchester United are on course to break their record league finishing position, as they currently sit in 14th place in the Premier League after 19 games played and 23 points behind their M62 rivals. A win, however unlikely, will move Manchester United as high as 11th place in the Premier League, although a loss could have the 20-time champions of England precariously looking over their shoulder.

The two sides met three times last season, with both league meetings ending in a stalemate in the Premier League. In the FA Cup, Amad Diallo capped off an epic clash between the two bitter rivals with a 121st-minute goal to send Manchester United to Wembley and end Jurgen Klopp’s final visit to Old Trafford in defeat. The two sides met earlier this season in another routine victory for Liverpool against their rivals, helped in large part by a Luis Diaz brace.

The game will be available on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event.

Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez will be unavailable for Arne Slot, who could turn to Jarrell Quansah to fill the spot next to Virgil van Dijk.

Luke Shaw and Mason Mount remain long-term absentees. Manuel Ugarte and Bruno Fernandes will return from suspension.

The recent history between the two teams suggests that the league table and form will certainly not lie on the weekend, with Liverpool unbeaten in their previous two meetings with Manchester United. Liverpool’s record at Anfield against their bitter rivals has been exceptional in recent years, with the hosts recording 4-0 and 7-0 wins on home soil in the space of a calendar year. Manchester United have not won at Anfield since 2016 when Wayne Rooney scored the only goal for Louis van Gaal’s Manchester United.

Liverpool have been thoroughly excellent this season, as Arne Slot's side are top of the Premier League table and top of their UEFA Champions League group. The Reds are overwhelming favourites for this game, having remained unbeaten in their last 23 in all competitions following their impressive 5-0 demolition of West Ham United at the London Stadium. Since the 1-0 defeat against Nottingham Forest, Liverpool have been unbeaten in their last eight Premier League games at Anfield, winning seven and drawing once, with wins against the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea during this run.

At home, barring the Nottingham Forest game, Liverpool have shown their proper form, and they come into this game with four consecutive wins under their belt. Arne Slot’s side disposed of a determined Leicester City side last time out at Anfield before making an emphatic statement away at West Ham.

On the other end of the scale, Manchester United are now facing the possibility of five consecutive losses under new manager Ruben Amorim. The visitors have failed to score in their previous four, following their recent 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United at home, in which the spotlight was on Joshua Zirkzee, who was substituted in the first half to a controversial reaction from the Old Trafford faithful.

Away from home, the Red Devils have only won twice on their travels this season, having also lost three of their last five away games. The first victory was against Southampton (3-0) and most recently against Manchester City (1-2) in Ruben Amorim’s first Manchester derby.

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