Manchester United vs Liverpool Preview

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s grip is loosening on that wheel whilst trying to pump the gas pedal on a title charge fans are desperate for. Manchester United are, however, not inspiring any confidence regardless of the quality they possess on paper. Ole has made the 4-2-3-1 his staple and the constant questioning surrounding his team selection shows the ever-growing distrust in the manager.

Last gameweek, against Leicester, was a disappointing but telling fixture. The game from a United perspective was far too loose in the middle, with many a direct pass being made straight through midfield lines. United are usually a lot more compact in that area of the park, but then again, the unrelenting press when they played Newcastle earlier in the season was non-existent against the Foxes as well. There is a definite disconnect from what should be done, and I have seen no control or rather domination in any win this season from the red side of Manchester who are without a win in their last three Premier League fixtures.

Despite having question marks surrounding his fitness, Harry Maguire started in last week’s 4-2 loss which saw an end to their 29-game unbeaten away streak in the Premier League. Marcus Rashford made his return after surgery six weeks sooner than expected, scoring one of United’s two goals, but still received criticism from the boss in a press conference which has reportedly not sat well with the United number 10. The only player, but a key player, side-lined is Raphael Varane with a groin injury and will more than likely be replaced with Sweden’s captain, Victor Lindelof who has shown his quality in every opportunity handed to him.

Mason Greenwood has been on call this season as he was in the last, and a screaming effort from the young Englishman was too much not to mention, with his youthfulness making for an interesting clash I can’t wait to witness against Andy Robertson. The added boost of Rashford, coupled with Bruno Fernandes and the ever-present goal threat of Cristiano Ronaldo still makes for a scary attack even with a present disconnect. The individual names might not be clicking, but those names can turn a game on its head in just one movement. And a game against Liverpool in front of your fans could turn a corner for Manchester United.

Liverpool ran riot against Watford last time out with a thoroughly dominating performance from the Reds and another “world’s best player” performance from Mo Salah yet again. Liverpool continue to show why their name is in the hat for the title this season and doing what should be done against a struggling freshly promoted Watford.

Jurgen Klopp has been unsurprisingly friendly in his media interviews, with the team performing the way he believes they can and should. Sadio Mane reached 100 Premier League goals, while Roberto Firmino recorded all three of his Premier League goals in one match as if there were no goalkeeper in front of him.

A mix and matched trio of captain Jordan Henderson, James Milner, and Naby Keita were as solid as can be, but with the return of Fabinho to the holding position I am unsure of anything coming through the middle. While Caoimhin Kelleher made a beautiful stop in the dying minutes of the match, the return of Alisson makes the defensive structure more daunting for opposition.

One fair criticism is that the right side will not be covered defensively by the Egyptian, and Trent Alexander-Arnold’s defensive attributes continuously come into question.

When that seems to be the only weakness of Liverpool, their chances of three points at the Theatre of Dreams, might not be so far-fetched.