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Manchester United host bitter rivals Liverpool on Sunday in a game that could hand Manchester City the Premier League title should Jurgen Klopp and his men secure all three points at the Old Trafford. The Red Devils have an opportunity to secure a top-four spot with a victory over their bitter rivals in the 208th edition of the North-West derby.
With a 12-point lead over fifth-placed West Ham and just five games remaining this season, a top-four spot is all but confirmed for Manchester United. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men head to Sunday’s fixture after demolishing AS Roma 6-2 in the Europa League semi-final first leg earlier midweek as they look poised to add more misery on their rivals and dent their chances of Champions League football next term. But United’s last league outing against Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds rather produced a dull goalless draw at Elland Road.
However, the match against Liverpool should be an entertaining spectacle given the history of the fixture, and if the Red Devils manage to avoid a defeat on Sunday, United would equal their longest unbeaten streak under Solskjaer of 14 games. The last time Man United suffered a loss at home was on January 27 against Sheffield United, and since then, they have maintained their unbeaten status with a single defeat in their last 22 outings in all competitions.
Officially dethroned as champions, Liverpool could still spoil United’s mood and crown Manchester City the Premier League title, only if they can snatch a victory at their opponents’ expense. But the Kops themselves are in a bit of quagmire themselves – adjusting the majority of the season with a broken defensive unit. Their last two Premier League fixtures ended in a draw, and the Anfield faithful may point out that they haven’t lost a single game in their last five games, and with three wins and two draws, this is their best performance in this calendar year.
Nonetheless, Liverpool maintain a four-point gap from fourth-placed Chelsea, and Klopp knows that nothing short of three points will do to keep them in the race for Champions League qualification.
Key Players
Aaron Wan Bissaka: The 23-year-old has been one of the most persistent performers for his team this season. Missing out on just two occasions Wan-Bissaka has doubled his senior goals tally, and provided three assists since December. The figures might not be convincing in a league full of attacking full-backs, but the former Crystal Palace right-back completes 2.7 tackles,1.9 interceptions and 2.1 clearances per game. Yet to be capped at senior level, the defender has become more versatile and will force his way into the national set-up much sooner.
Marcus Rashford: 20 goals and 13 assists in 51 overall appearances this season and Marcus Rashford has once again performed at his peak this season. The arrival of Cavani and the emergence of Mason Greenwood has pushed United’s dependency on the 24-year-old farther, as he now enjoys playing without the enormous burden of carrying his team week-in week-out. A tally of 3.2 shots per game with 2.7 key passes underlines Rashford’s attacking prowess.
Mohamed Salah: The Egyptian’s brilliant quick-turn finish against Newcastle United last weekend made him the first Liverpool player in history to reach the 20-goal mark in three separate Premier League seasons. Even in an injury-threatened season for the Kops, Salah has stood out on numerous occasions, frequently grabbing the winner or equalizing at crucial moments. 29 goals and 4 assists in 46 total appearances, the forward has to produce something magical on Sunday to keep his team in the top-four race.
Diogo Jota: Along with Salah, the Portuguese has been decisive for Liverpool at times this campaign. The former Wolves forward has scored a goal every 120 minutes for his new club in the Premier League and the Champions League. 2.4 shots per game and an average of 1.4 key passes per 90 minutes Jota has been Liverpool’s shining light amid all the miseries they suffered.
Prediction
The 176th league meeting between Manchester United and Liverpool may end up in a thrilling draw given both these teams’ recent performances in the league. The Reds have won just a single game out of their last 15 visits to Old Trafford. United won the most recent encounter in the FA Cup, registering a 3-2 win at home in January, have a mediocre record themselves winning twice in the last 12 editions of the derby.
Riding on the back of their 6-2 hammering of Roma last Thursday, Solskjaer’s men will look to exploit Liverpool’s woeful defence right from the kick-off as a loss against their nemesis would not only hurt their pride but would also allow local rivals Man City to lift their fifth Premier League title.
Three points at Old Trafford may be a stuff of dreams for Jurgen Klopp, given their current predicament at the back. But they have a golden opportunity to rise as the kingmakers and deny United massive three points at their own backyard on Sunday.
