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On Sunday afternoon Liverpool will host Manchester United and will likely be trying to overtake their rivals on the prime of the Premier League.
A disappointing Christmas run for the Reds has seen them lose their lead on the prime of the desk, with United capitalising on this. Nonetheless, Jurgen Klopp’s aspect can put this proper with a win in opposition to their rivals as they give the impression of being to defend their title.
Since beating Crystal Palace 7-0 on 19th December, Liverpool have taken simply two factors from a possible 9. Their solely win on this time got here within the FA Cup in opposition to an inexperienced Aston Villa aspect. They’ve struggled to interrupt groups down and rating targets, trying predictable and bodily drained at instances. This comes after seeing numerous gamers return to the staff like Thiago Alcantara and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
It has been bitterly disappointing and uncharacteristic from the Reds. In recent times and positively final 12 months, Liverpool would have been capable of put their foot down and lengthen their lead on the prime of the desk. As a substitute, they’ve stuttered and allowed the chasing pack to re-enter the title race dialog.
United have been the staff to benefit from this, at the moment sitting three factors away from Liverpool. Regardless of being knocked out of the Champions League in early December, they’ve achieved a powerful job in selecting themselves again up and remained unbeaten within the league since then. In that point they’ve taken 17 factors from a doable 21.
They’ve developed each a ruthlessness and a capability to grind out outcomes. These traits are extraordinarily vital for a title race, which surprisingly many now imagine they’re in.
Throughout the pitch, there will likely be many key battles that would very properly resolve the match relying on who advantages from them. These sub-plots add to the joy and make the sport very robust to name.
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Two native lads renew their battle
Marcus Rashford and Trent Alexander-Arnold‘s loved comparable paths to fame. The 2 native lads have turn out to be outstanding components of their groups and are set to resume their very own mini-battle on Sunday.
Each are superstars in their very own rights and have typically pushed one another to their bests throughout their encounters. Rashford acquired the higher of Trent within the 2017/18 season when he scored twice to assist the Crimson Devils defeat their rivals. His first of the 2 targets uncovered Trent’s defending and stays a basic aim for the 23-year-old.
Since then Trent has matured and his defending has considerably improved. He has already been a Champions League and Premier League winner and is extensively considered the very best right-back on this planet.
Regardless of this, the Scouser has struggled to search out his momentum to this point this season and located it tough to play at his greatest with Liverpool’s defensive issues disrupting his rhythm. Trent will definitely have to be at his greatest if he’s to win his battle in opposition to Rashford.
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The 2 midfield maestros
This fixture can even see Bruno Fernandes and Thiago face one another within the midfield as they’ll intention to be the inventive sparks for either side. The 2 gamers are amongst the very best midfielders on this planet and it is going to be fascinating to see which one can have a say on this sport.
United’s meteoric enchancment since Fernandes got here into the aspect has been spectacular. He has made a weak and dejected staff look their most spectacular since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013. His impression on the staff has been unimaginable and seen United take probably the most quantity of factors within the Premier League since he signed.
The one fear for United followers will likely be whether or not they’re now too reliant on the Portuguese midfielder.
As for Liverpool, their brilliance from midfield ought to come from Thiago. Since his arrival from Bayern Munich in the summertime, Liverpool followers haven’t seen an excessive amount of of him. Accidents at the beginning of his Liverpool profession halted his progress with the English champions.
He’s now starting to function and already taking part in an important function for Liverpool by supplying the entrance three. His weight of go and forward-thinking is beautiful and hasn’t been seen at Liverpool since Philippe Coutinho left the Reds.
It takes a particular participant to obtain their very own Liverpool track earlier than even signing for the membership. Liverpool followers already adore him and will likely be hoping to sing his identify after the sport.
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United fullbacks might want to focus
If Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s staff are to stroll away with something after the sport, his fullbacks are going to want to stay concentrated all through the 90 minutes. Luke Shaw is more likely to be dealing with Mohamed Salah while Aaron Wan-Bissaka is anticipating a match-up in opposition to Sadio Mane.
Each the Liverpool wingers are amongst the very best on this planet and though they don’t enter the sport in the very best kind, they’ll nonetheless pose threats to the United aim.
Solskjaer will tactically have to consider the specter of the wingers on the counter-attack. Ought to Shaw or Wan-Bissaka assault an excessive amount of, it’ll go away house for the wingers to function in.
Salah was the matchwinner the final time Liverpool confronted United at Anfield and put to mattress his file of not scoring in opposition to them.
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