Manchester United head to Anfield this weekend full of confidence and tied on points atop the Premier League table.
Manchester United versus Liverpool is one of the biggest rivalries in football. The two teams and their respective fans literally can’t stand each other.
The Red Devils head in to this weekend’s fixture high on confidence and in form. Mourinho’s side have won six out of seven league matches with one draw. They are atop the table alongside Manchester City (they are behind their crosstown rivals on goal differential).
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Liverpool’s’ recent form is worrisome. The 4-0 demolition of Arsenal seems a long time ago. Following that superb display, Jurgen Klopp’s side have been marginal at best. In all competitions since, the Reds are 1-4-2. This includes a humiliating 5-0 loss to Manchester City.
Liverpool will be up for this match. Whenever these two rivals get together, anything can happen.
Despite this, here are five reasons that Manchester United will defeat Liverpool this weekend.
Manchester United are full of confidence
This might be the perfect time for Manchester United to visit Liverpool.
The Red Devils come in to the match riding high on confidence. The same cannot be said for Klopp and his players.
It’s amazing how winning can instill an added belief in one’s ability. Take for example Marouane Fellaini. The midfielder moved to Manchester from Everton during David Moyes’ brief time as manager.
He struggled to live up to expectations and was often the whipping boy for frustrated United fans.
Under Mourinho this season Fellaini has been a revelation. He’s in the best form of his career.
I never thought i'd say it but Fellaini was very much the deserved man of the match today.
— United Hour (@United_Hour) September 30, 2017
United will be without Fellaini this weekend due to an injury suffered during the international break. Despite this, however, the United squad is deep and full of self-assurance.
The belief among Liverpool players is currently low. Whether that will change depends on the outcome of this match.
Manchester United are stronger defensively
A look at current statistics show that the United defense has been hard to breach. Through the first seven matches of the new season they have only given up two goals. At the same time, they have been scoring in bunches and have a healthy goal differential of 20.
Liverpool have been a bit easier to break down. Opponents have netted 12 times. Only last place Crystal Palace and West Ham United have given up more goals.
Liverpool were pursuing Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk throughout the summer. In the end, they were unable to sign the player and never addressed the team’s defensive needs in the transfer market.
The Reds’ first-choice back four has been criticized for letting leads slip away. Left back Alberto Moreno has been used regularly this campaign despite only starting eight total league matches last season.
Youngsters Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez have been thrust in to action with little league experience.
Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip have been guilty of some questionable defending.
The pressure is on Liverpool
Liverpool are the home side and the pressure will be squarely on the shoulders of Klopp and his players.
The fans will be behind their team. However, should things go astray it could be an uncomfortable afternoon on Merseyside.
United come in as the favorites, but a loss wouldn’t be enough to create a crisis. The Red Devils are off to a flying start so it would be looked at as a blip rather than a major catastrophe.
Should Liverpool lose, the word “crisis” will be thrown around by pundits and more questions will be asked of Klopp.
Liverpool’s fortunes have gone downhill since the signing of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on transfer deadline day
Of course Liverpool’s poor form is not Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s fault. Unfortunately for him, it hasn’t gone unnoticed by fans that things started to go downhill for the Reds following his transfer from Arsenal on deadline day.
In this era of social media it’s easy to spread conspiracy theories and memes. The Ox has become the sacrificial lamb for disgruntled Liverpool fans.
Interestingly, the #KloppOut hashtag has appeared more often recently on Twitter than #WengerOut.
The Manchester United team has more depth than Liverpool
United have suffered injury blows recently to Paul Pogba and Fellaini. While both players will be missed, Mourinho has competent replacements at his disposal. Michael Carrick and Ander Herrera can easily slot in.
The summer signing of Nemanja Matić has proved a brilliant coup by Mourinho. The former Chelsea star has brought stability and confidence to United’s midfield.
Offensively they are loaded. Romelu Lukaku is scoring at will so far. Youngsters Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford have been in good form as well. Then there’s the fact that Zlatan Ibrahimovic is working his way back from injury.
Next: 5 reasons why Lukaku will win the Golden Boot over Kane
Liverpool have some terrific players in Philippe Coutinho, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah. The problem is that behind them, the quality is not as strong.