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Not since 2008-09 and Rafa Benitez’s notorious ‘info’ rant have Liverpool and Manchester United been in a title race collectively.
Manchester United have been dominant for the primary twenty years of the Premier League‘s existence, however have fallen away as Liverpool have re-emerged because the pre-eminent power in English soccer in the previous few years beneath Jurgen Klopp.
Seventeen matches into this season, nevertheless, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s United facet discover themselves prime of the league and three factors away from their nearest rivals Liverpool in second place.
Mo Salah celebrates scoring for Liverpool of their 2-0 win over Man United in January 2020
United are nonetheless third favourites to win the title, however know these odds will shorten considerably in the event that they win at Anfield on Sunday, with Liverpool off form having not received of their final three matches.
It’s a superbly poised match-up which the entire world shall be watching and right here, Sportsmail‘s reporters have shared their insights on Sunday’s sport…
IAN LADYMAN
Rating: Liverpool 1-1 Manchester United
Who would be the key man?
David De Gea. He has been the topic of a lot dialogue once more this season. The Spaniard just isn’t the persistently sensible performer he as soon as was for United however stays exceptionally gifted on his day and this should be one in all his higher afternoons of the season.
Liverpool haven’t been at their fluent greatest for some time however they’re nonetheless more likely to create large possibilities on this sport. This can be a sport that finds Liverpool – for the primary time in a very long time – with some extent to show and we will count on their efficiency to mirror that. I might count on De Gea to be busy.
What Klopp must do to win it
He wants his crew to defend properly. For all their attacking vibrancy final season, Liverpool’s title success was received on the again of a sort of defensive certainty that has been lacking this season.
What Ole must do to win it
His crew must take their possibilities as they in all chance will not get many. United have an issue when it comes to possession in large video games. Briefly, they do not are inclined to get sufficient of it. After they do at Anfield, they need to use it properly.
Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea has been getting again to his greatest type
DOMINIC KING
Rating: Liverpool 2-1 Manchester United
Who would be the key man?
Mohamed Salah. His aim at Villa Park within the FA Cup ended just a little drought and he shall be anxious to get his league complete ticking over once more. He is due a giant efficiency.
What Klopp must do to win it
Remind his gamers about their capabilities and their reputations and inform them to play like champions. A lot is made about Liverpool’s vulnerability in central defence however they are going to be full energy elsewhere. It is time for them to make an announcement.
What Ole must do to win it
Play in the way in which they’ve accomplished on their travels all season. United are properly outfitted to choose Liverpool off on the counter-attack and have some excellent forwards. If they will frustrate Liverpool, they may have alternatives on the break.
Jurgen Klopp is making an attempt to tug his Liverpool squad via a sticky patch in the mean time
CHRIS WHEELER
Rating: Liverpool 2-1 Manchester United
Who would be the key man?
Sadio Mane. His tempo shall be an actual downside for United’s centre backs.
What Klopp must do to win it
Blunt United’s counter assault. Solskjaer will look to include Liverpool after which hit them on the break.
What Ole must do to win it
Lower off the availability line from Liverpool’s marauding full-backs. He performed a back-three and wing-backs in each conferences between the 2 golf equipment final season to deal with that risk. United failed to chop out Andy Robertson’s cross when Adam Lallana equalised in a 1-1 draw at Previous Trafford, however neither of Liverpool’s targets got here from the flanks in a 2-0 win at Anfield.
The tempo of Sadio Mane shall be a risk to Manchester United as they appear to upset the percentages
IAN HERBERT
Rating: Liverpool 2-0 Manchester United
Who would be the key man?
Mo Salah. All the time a risk after all however the area that United’s defence has tended to permit opposition gamers signifies that he might run amok if Liverpool begin on the essential blistering tempo.
What Klopp must do to win it
Swamp United early and capitalise on the truth that they’re gradual starters this season.
What Ole must do to win it
Make his gamers perceive the importance of this match and defend as if their lives depended upon it. Attempt to strike on the counter-attack.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer shall be priming his crew to strike Liverpool on the counter-attack
CRAIG HOPE
Rating: Liverpool 1-1 Manchester United
Who would be the key man?
Marcus Rashford. Liverpool are clearly weak on the again proper now and his tempo will terrify a makeshift defence.
What Klopp must do to win it
He must discover a approach to get his misfiring entrance three to masks their present frailties on the different finish of the pitch. For in the mean time, Liverpool are limping alongside. This, although, may very well be the sport they should rediscover their greatest, particularly with the inducement to reclaim prime spot.
What Ole must do to win it
Assault. Get the ball to Rashford and Martial and inform them to run at Liverpool’s centre backs. If not, get the ball to Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba and instruct them to drop passes in behind for the likes of Rashford and Martial to chase. Both means, a optimistic strategy ought to yield possibilities.
Marcus Rashford’s asset of sheer tempo will scare Liverpool’s makeshift defence at Anfield
ADRIAN KAJUMBA
Rating: Liverpool 1-1 Manchester United
Who would be the key man?
Joel Matip. The final senior centre again standing for Liverpool and can absolutely be wanted if Liverpool are to face an opportunity of getting a outcome.
What Klopp must do to win it
Firstly, hope Matip is match so he can no less than have one skilled and pure centre again on the pitch. Secondly, hope that this fixture evokes Liverpool to rediscover a few of their mojo. The targets and attacking fluency have dried up within the Premier League since their win at Crystal Palace however Liverpool have had the sting in opposition to United at Anfield lately. The entire event might spark his facet again into life, even when just for simply 90 minutes.
What Ole must do to win it
Assault Liverpool. The loss primarily of Virgil van Dijk but additionally of Joe Gomez on prime of that has not harm Liverpool as a lot as many anticipated however, nonetheless, they’ve misplaced a few of their aura of their absence. Whereas Liverpool’s major midfield and attacking choices stay intact, their defence is an space to attempt to exploit. United have most well-liked to sit down in and counter within the greater video games however assault may very well be the most effective type of defence on Sunday.
Liverpool shall be hoping Joel Matip is match within the absence of Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez
DANIEL MATTHEWS
Rating: Liverpool 1-1 Manchester United
Who would be the key man?
Marcus Rashford. Liverpool’s patched-up backline have typically coped properly however they’ve repeatedly regarded weak to balls in behind. Particularly, groups have been focusing on the area behind Trent Alexander-Arnold, who’s type has been a priority.
Rashford has given him kittens earlier than and his tempo and trickery might show devastating until Liverpool can minimize off provide.
What Klopp must do to win it
Going ahead, the Liverpool boss must coax a tune from Liverpool’s entrance three. They have been wasteful in opposition to Newcastle after which toothless in opposition to Southampton.
It is a mark of their unbelievable requirements that they seem to date off their greatest, and but Mo Salah (17), Sadio Mane (9) and Roberto Firmino (5) have 31 targets between them. On the different finish, Jordan Henderson – or whoever sits on the base of Liverpool’s midfield – might want to keep cosy to Fernandes. If not, he might pull Liverpool’s backline aside.
What Ole must do to win it
Begin quick. United are the facet with momentum, they’re the crew in type. However these benefits can evaporate quickly – significantly whereas frailties stay on the again. If Liverpool are allowed an early benefit, they nonetheless have greater than sufficient high quality to steamroll United. However query marks and uncertainty dangle over the hosts heading into the sport. United cannot afford to let that chink of vulnerability shut.
Salah ended his goalscoring drought with a strike in opposition to Aston Villa within the FA Cup
TOM COLLOMOSSE
Rating: Liverpool 0-1 Manchester United
Who would be the key man?
Bruno Fernandes. His impression since his transfer to Previous Trafford has been likened to that of Eric Cantona within the 1992-93 season, and it’s not tough to see why. Aside from his impact on the pitch with targets and assists, Fernandes is clearly an enormous affect on his team-mates and has shortly grow to be a key man within the dressing room. This kind of match is the best stage for him.
What Klopp must do to win it
United’s pace in assault means they’re devastating on the break and whereas Liverpool prefer to play an offensive sport, they should watch out concerning the areas they depart in defence and midfield. Lose possession wherever on the sphere and this United crew will punish you.
What Solskjaer must do to win it
Shield the again 4. Liverpool’s attacking trio of Salah, Firmino and Mane stays one of the efficient in Europe and regardless of their latest enchancment on the again, United can nonetheless look wobbly. Solskjaer might use two holding midfielders to supply additional safety when Liverpool have the ball.
Bruno Fernandes has been the important thing participant in United’s restoration from a gradual begin this season
KIERAN GILL
Rating: Liverpool 2-0 Manchester United
Who would be the key man?
Salah, the Premier League’s prime scorer. Liverpool have regarded out of sync in assault at occasions this season, however Salah remains to be the one able to dancing round Manchester United’s defence to attain. He shall be key.
What Klopp must do to win it
Get his choices proper in defence. If Matip just isn’t match, as we do not count on him to be, who begins at centre again? Fabinho, for one, however then will he be partnered by Henderson, Rhys Williams or Nat Phillips? I might moderately see Phillips there, and depart Henderson in midfield.
What Ole must do to win it
United will go with out nearly all of the ball however they do not thoughts that. They’ve Fernandes and encompass him with quick forwards. The best way for them to win that is to be medical on the counter.
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