Anfield Expectant as Fierce Local Rivals Come to Town on Sunday Afternoon

So far, the 2019/20 season has been one of unrivalled success for table-topping Liverpool. With a 14-point lead over second placed Manchester City (plus a game in hand), the Reds have dropped just two points all season long, that coming against their most fierce local rivals Manchester United in a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford back in October.

It just so happens that United are Liverpool’s next opponents as the teams’ lock horns at Anfield on Sunday afternoon, kicking off at 4.30pm. If Liverpool’s season has been one of success and dominance, United’s has been frustratingly inconsistent as they have hovered between the European places and middle of the table for some time now.

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There’s no doubt that there is nothing United fans would love more, such is the rivalry between these two giants of the game, than to stop Liverpool’s home record unbeaten run and their EPL unbeaten run, while Liverpool fans will be hoping that they can put United to the sword once again to inflict another defeat on the Red Devils away from home and also in doing so, take a step closer to their first ever Premier League title.

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Here’s how this weekend’s full fixture list in the Premier League shapes up.

EPL Fixtures – Matchday 23 (Sat 18^th & Sun 19^th January)

• Watford v Tottenham (12.30pm)
• Brighton v Aston Villa
• Manchester City v Crystal Palace
• West Ham United v Everton
• Arsenal v Sheffield United
• Norwich City v Bournemouth
• Southampton v Wolves
• Newcastle United v Chelsea (5.30pm)
• Burnley v Leicester (2pm Sun)
• Liverpool v Manchester United (4.30pm Sun)

While there are a number of key games at the top and bottom of the table, notably Norwich taking on Bournemouth and Burnley’s clash with Leicester City, it is the game at Anfield on Sunday that has attracted the most interest.

Let’s now take a closer look at how these two giants shape up.

Liverpool v Man Utd – Season Comparison

• United have won just three times away from home this season in the EPL (at Norwich,  Manchester City and Burnley)
• Liverpool have won all of their home games this season in the Premier League. They are unbeaten at Anfield in the EPL in their last 51 matches.  Their last defeat on home soil came in April 2017 against Crystal Palace.
• Liverpool have not conceded a goal in any of their last six Premier League games. They have 9 clean sheets in their last 11 games (although one of those games was when their U23 team played in the Carabao Cup away to Aston Villa).
• Everton were the last team to score at Anfield back on December 4^th in a 5-2 defeat.
• The teams drew 1-1 at Old Trafford back in October. Marcus Rashford’s opening goal controversially allowed by VAR after it appeared Divock Origi was fouled in the lead up to the goal. Adam Lallana rescued a point for Liverpool late on scoring in the 85^th minute, despite the visitors dominating possession in the game.
• Last season, Liverpool won this game 3-1, Mane scoring for Liverpool before Lingard equalised before half time. Xherdan Shaqiri then scored a second half double at the Kop end to give the home side the win in what was Jose Mourinho’s last game in charge of United before he was sacked.
• Both these teams are the only Premier League teams to win the FIFA World Club Cup, United doing so back in 2001, Liverpool doing so this year in Qatar.
• Victory in the Champions League Final, the Super Cup and the World Club Cup means Liverpool now have 48 major trophies compared to United’s 46. United though have won the top prize in British football, the Premier League/Championship title 20 times compared to Liverpool’s 18.

Liverpool v Man Utd – Preview and Tips

Manchester United fans would love to be the team to end Liverpool’s unbeaten run at Anfield and in the EPL this season, but their away form is such that it doesn’t appear they will be able to do that, especially against a Liverpool team that is now looking to efficient defensively. Liverpool have dominated possession against United in recent matches and that looks like being the case again on Sunday.

While United’s pacy attack can cause Liverpool problems, I think the back four for the Reds, well protected by Henderson and Wijnaldum in midfield, as well as the defensive efforts of the three front men, will mean that United struggle to get the ball often enough to their attackers.

As such, I can only see Liverpool breaching the United defence on multiple occasions as that back line and David de Gea, so often United’s key man, has looked far from impregnable this season with the Spanish keeper making a number of uncharacteristic mistakes in recent months.

Therefore, I am not going to go against the grain here and I am backing Liverpool to win the game (2/5 at bet365), probably by a 2-0 scoreline (7/1) and I would also back Bobby Firmino to score a rare home goal as he is long overdue one and he is always the main in key games for Liverpool. The Brazilian is 7/5 to score anytime with bet365 Sport.