Manchester United and Liverpool: fiercest rivals clash again. Here is everything you need to know before Saturday’s game
Both historic clubs have closer proximity derby matches in their cities, against Everton and Manchester City respectively. However, both United and Liverpool consider one another their most intense adversary.
Managers Jose Mourinho and Jurgen Klopp are considered two of the very best, if not different managers. In the footballing universe they have collided many times, before, during, as well as after their team’s fixtures.
Managers at elite level naturally respect each other’s achievements. Although, Klopp together with Mourinho seemingly have a tumultuous acquaintance on and off pitch. These fiery emotions and interviews always lead to more ferocity during games:
Klopp distancing himself from Mourinho’s tactics:
"“If we were to park the bus constantly in home games people would whistle us out of the stadium”."
Mourinho on Liverpool paying £75 million for Virgil van Dijk:
"“Virgil van Dijk is the most expensive defender in the history of football – was he better than [Paolo] Maldini, [Giuseppe] Bergomi or [Rio] Ferdinand?”"
We have rounded-up the most interesting stats of the two managers and clubs. We also have team news all in this one-stop-source article. Not to mention a keenly measured prediction. Firstly though, whet your appetite with this ‘Top 5’ clip below.
Revealing stats
Mourinho Versus Klopp: the bosses have faced one another six times in total. Klopp has won an impressive three of these encounters. He only lost once and this was a second-leg fixture against Real Madrid. Klopp’s Dortmund qualified anyway.
They drew in the Premiership 0-0 in October at Anfield. Against Mourinho, the German is in-fact above Pep Guardiola, Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger and Antonio Conte on the leaderboard.
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Throughout the Premier League era, the Red Devils have met the Reds 51 times. United won on 27 occasions. Liverpool have won only 13 times. There have been 11 draws.
Form is telling: Liverpool have won eight of their previous ten league games. Including a 4-3 victory at home to champions elect Manchester City. United have won six, lost two and drawn three in eleven.
Intriguingly, Liverpool have lost 10 of their last 13 league away matches at Old Trafford. The Merseysiders are, however, the joint-leading-away-scorers in Europe. They, along with Lyon, have scored 34 in the league when not at Anfield. While they have also netted 11 more times than their Mancunian opponents this campaign.
Team news
The Daily Star report that United will line-up with a 4-4-2 diamond shape. Alexis Sanchez impressed in the “number 10” role and similar is expected. Phil Jones, Daley Blind and Marcos Rojo should be available.
Ander Herrera, as well as Anthony Martial could be in contention for appearances after injuries. The only definite absentee for Man United is Marouane Fellaini.
Goal tells us that Jordan Henderson is Liverpool’s only injury concern. He limped off against Porto in the Champions League Tuesday. While the Evening Standard say
"“Georginio Wijnaldum (is) likely to miss out with illness and Nathaniel Clyne (is) still working back from a back injury.”"
Prediction
Manchester United can win this. This is unless Mourinho places the shackles on. Yes Liverpool are faster, more precise and entertaining on the attack. Yet their defence is obviously lacking. If Ashley Young can do another marking job on Mohamed Salah then I envisage a small margin of victory for Mourinho’s men.
With these old foes precariously entrenched in battle separated by a mere two points it will be intense. Expect full commitment and a war like approach from players and staff alike. Kick-off is 12:30pm British time. Check-in with Pf90 for full reports for the upcoming game-week 30.