Liverpool vs. Manchester United: 5 key matchups

By Matt English | Oct 12, 2017

FILE PHOTO (EDITORS NOTE: GRADIENT ADDED - COMPOSITE OF TWO IMAGES - Image numbers (L) 630799888 and 619016290) In this composite image a comparision has been made between Jose Mourinho, Manager of Manchester United and Jurgen Klopp, Manager of Liverpool. Manchester United and Liverpool meet in a Premier League match on October 14,2017 at Anfield in Liverpool. ***LEFT IMAGE*** STRATFORD, ENGLAND - JANUARY 02: Jose Mourinho, Manager of Manchester United looks on during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Manchester United at London Stadium on January 2, 2017 in Stratford, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images) ***RIGHT IMAGE*** LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 29: Jurgen Klopp, Manager of Liverpool looks on during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park on October 29, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images) /

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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 09: Simon Mignolet of Liverpool in action during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 09: Simon Mignolet of Liverpool in action during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) /

5. De Gea vs. Mignolet

David De Gea has made it through yet another summer of rumors linking him to Real Madrid. Spain’s number one continually proves how important he is to the Manchester United team by making save after save in important situations. His command inside the box makes him one of the toughest keepers to play against and has arguably been United’s most important player since joining the club.

On the other end of the spectrum is Liverpool keeper Simon Mignolet. Liverpool has been criticised for quite some time for not having a consistent, top class keeper. Klopp even said himself that Liverpool has “two number two keepers”, meaning both are viable to start at any time in any match. This is a bit of a problem for a club that already has issues defensively, but is also a problem that does not seem to be of great concern to the team.

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United has a clear upper hand in this matchup, and arguably in every Premier League match they play. De Gea is one of the world’s best and, at just 26 years old, has many years left to further his legacy. Liverpool may be able to scrape by every now and then with a second-rate shot stopper between the sticks, but sooner or later, the team will need to wake up and realise that Mignolet and Loris Karius simply are not enough to bring success to this club.

There are a slew of matchups in this rivalry that could decide the winner. All eleven players on each side will need to be near perfect if they want to come out with all three points. Both managers will have plenty to talk about before the match and will be influential in orchestrating their teams shape and tactics.

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This match comes at a pivotal point in the season for Liverpool, who are desperate for a win and a step in the right direction. For United, they hope to continue to dismantle anyone who crosses their path in league play and keep pace with rivals Manchester City. With so much on the line this early in the season, this match is sure to be on of the best in the Premier League this year.

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