Manchester United vs. Liverpool: Team News, Preview, Live Stream, TV Info
In recent years, fixtures between Manchester United and Liverpool have lost a little bit of magic, with neither side challenging at the top of the Premier League table. But ahead of Sunday's showdown between these two rivals, some of the gravitas is back.
Both sides are on a sharp upward trajectory. United have finally found their groove under Jose Mourinho, rattling off an impressive six league wins in succession. Liverpool are without a win in their last three games in all competitions. Although sitting second in the Premier League table, they are undoubtedly challengers for top spot.
Given the quality of the players on show, the enormity of the figures on the sidelines and the bitter rivalry between the supporters of these clubs, a pulsating afternoon is surely in store at Old Trafford.
Here are the key details ahead of this one and a look ahead at what to expect from one of the defining games of the Premier League season.
Date: Sunday, January 15
Time: 4 p.m. (GMT)/11 a.m. (ET)
TV Info: Sky Sports (UK), NBC Sports Live (U.S.)
Live Stream: Sky Go (UK), NBC Sports App (U.S.)
Team News
Manchester United: After missing Tuesday's clash with Hull City, Zlatan Ibrahimovic looks poised to return to the Red Devils starting XI. Eric Bailly is the only other major absentee because of his involvement in the Africa Cup of Nations.
Likely XI: David De Gea; Antonio Valencia, Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo, Matteo Darmian; Michael Carrick, Ander Herrera, Paul Pogba; Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Juan Mata, Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Liverpool: Defender Joel Matip and captain Jordan Henderson remain doubts after missing recent contests, while Sadio Mane is on international duty with Senegal.
Likely XI: Simon Mignolet; Nathaniel Clyne, Joel Matip, Dejan Lovren, James Milner; Jordan Henderson, Emre Can, Georginio Wijnaldum; Adam Lallana, Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino.
Team news courtesy of Fantasy Football Scout
Preview
Liverpool need a victory to keep the pressure up on league leaders Chelsea, while three points for United would be a huge positive in their chase for a top-four spot.
| 1 | Chelsea | 20 | 16 | 1 | 3 | 42 | 15 | +27 | 49 |
| 2 | Liverpool | 20 | 13 | 5 | 2 | 48 | 23 | +25 | 44 |
| 3 | Tottenham | 20 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 39 | 14 | +25 | 42 |
| 4 | Manchester City | 20 | 13 | 3 | 4 | 41 | 22 | +19 | 42 |
| 5 | Arsenal | 20 | 12 | 5 | 3 | 44 | 22 | +22 | 41 |
| 6 | Manchester United | 20 | 11 | 6 | 3 | 31 | 19 | +12 | 39 |
After Chelsea's loss to Tottenham Hotspur in their most recent league match, Liverpool should be buoyed. The Reds, after all, stayed in touch with the leaders throughout their 13-game winning run and find themselves just five points behind the Blues; the race for the title is very much alive.
But with Sadio Mane off to represent Senegal in the Africa Cup of Nations and some injury problems to deal with, there's been a slip in momentum lately for the Reds. Wednesday's 1-0 loss to Southampton in the first leg of the EFL Cup semi-final, a result that flattered Liverpool, will have concerned Klopp.
Mark Ogden of ESPN FC believes the team badly missed skipper Henderson at the base of midfield:
While Liverpool seem to be searching for solutions, United have found them. Red Devils boss Mourinho has seen his side slip into very Mourinho-esque form, with the team grinding their way to victory after victory with some powerful and purposeful play.
Although Ibrahimovic has grabbed the headlines, in the main because of his flamboyant goalscoring, some tweaks further back have been the catalyst for their strong sequence. Paul Pogba, in particular, is beginning to blossom as the nexus of the side.
Per Sky Sports News HQ, although it took him some time to settle in the Premier League, the United man is making rapid progress:
Mourinho was much-maligned earlier in the season and often cut a disinterested figure on the sidelines. However, his master plan is slowly beginning to come together, and he'll be desperate to cap this positive recent form with a big win over their rivals.
Earlier in the season, the Portuguese sent his side to Anfield on a mission to nullify the attacking verve of Liverpool and succeeded in securing a 0-0 draw. On Sunday at Old Trafford, where there will be a raucous crowd, some more enterprising ambition will be needed from the manager and his players.
But as noted by Bleacher Report's Rob Blanchette, United have been easy on the eye as of late:
Liverpool are dangerous opponents for United. Even after a loss in midweek and a long trip down to the south coast, the Reds will be vibrant, inventive and intense in their pressing. For a Red Devils side that isn't full of industrious and mobile footballers, that aggressive style will cause problems.
To take three points, United will need to be smart in their counter-attacking, precise in their set-piece delivery and composed in their utilisation of possession in the final third. Recent matches have shown they're capable of doing just that and, consequently, taking three points that will mean another twist in this absorbing title race.
Prediction: Manchester United 2-1 Liverpool
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