Liverpool vs. Manchester United: Team News, Preview, Live Stream & TV Info
Liverpool host fierce rivals Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday in what is arguably both sides' biggest game of the season.
The Red Devils and Reds are fourth and fifth, respectively, going into the game, with United just two points ahead.
A win for Liverpool would take them above United and into the top four for the first time this season.
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A win for the visitors would consolidate their place in the top four and leave them favourites to finish the campaign in the Champions League places.
Both sides go into the game in good form.
United enjoyed arguably their best performance of the season last week as they beat Tottenham Hostpurs 3-0, while Liverpool continued their excellent form with a 1-0 win at Swansea—albeit the performance wasn't as impressive as recent weeks.
Liverpool are unbeaten since the corresponding fixture at Old Trafford back in mid-December—a game that, despite the 3-0 win for the home side, saw the Reds much improved on the first outing of their 3-4-2-1 formation.
This game is huge.
Which side will survive the test and become favourites for a top-four finish?
Date: Sunday, 22 March
Time: 1.30 p.m. GMT (9.30 a.m. ET)
Venue: Anfield
TV Info: Sky Sports 1, NBCSN and NBC Sports Live Extra
Live Stream: Sky Sports 1 and NBC Sports Live Extra (U.S. only)
Predicted Formations
Both sides have almost-full-strength squads to choose from and are likely to opt for unchanged XIs from their last respective games.
Brendan Rodgers has Steven Gerrard back fit and must decide whether to start his captain. Lucas Leiva is also back in full training but unlikely to start.
Louis Van Gaal is without Robin van Persie, while centre-back Johnny Evans is serving a long-term ban for spitting. Luke Shaw and Marcos Rojo are doubts.
Form Lines (All Competitions)
Liverpool
Won 1-0 vs. Swansea City
Drew 0-0 vs. Blackburn (FA Cup)
Won 2-0 vs. Burnley
Won 3-2 vs. Man City
Lost 1-0 vs. Besiktas (Europa League)
Man United
Won 3-0 vs. Tottenham
Lost 2-1 vs. Arsenal (FA Cup)
Won 1-0 vs. Newcastle
Won 2-0 vs. Sunderland
Lost 2-1 vs. Swansea City
Player to Watch
Liverpool: Raheem Sterling
This week has seen Raheem Sterling in the headlines again, with Rodgers explaining at his pre-match press conference on Friday, as noted by This Is Anfield, that Sterling's contract talks have been put on hold until the summer at the request of the 20-year-old's representatives.
Sterling has been deployed as a right-sided wing-back in recent games for the Reds but changed in-game with Adam Lallana in the win at Swansea on Monday. Where Sterling lines up—at wing-back, in attacking midfield or even up front in place of Daniel Sturridge—will be interesting to note.
Sterling will be eager to atone for his last match against United, when he was denied several times by in-form David de Gea.
Man United: Wayne Rooney
Rooney hasn't scored at Anfield in 10 years and will be eager to end that drought on Sunday. The 29-year-old former Everton forward has been restored up front in recent games and hit the third last week in the win over Tottenham.
He's likely to continue in that role and could cause problems if he drops off and finds space between Liverpool's defence and midfield.
Key Battle
Fellaini vs. Can
Van Gaal could opt to play Marouane Fellaini in an advanced role and look to take advantage of the long ball to use his height.
Indeed, to combat this, Rodgers could move Can into the centre of the back three, with Can more mobile to play up against Rooney and Martin Skrtel combatting Fellaini's aerial presence.
Coutinho/Moreno vs. Valencia
Antonio Valencia started as an orthodox right-back within a back four last week. It's a position he's struggled with in the past, and Liverpool will surely look to exploit this with Alberto Moreno and Philippe Coutinho down that side.
Odds (via Odds Shark)
Liverpool win: +110
Man United win: +240
Draw: +250
Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Man United
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