THE DETAILS
Venue – Old Trafford, Manchester
Referee – Anthony Taylor
Date & Time – Thursday, May 13th @ 20:15
Current Odds – Manchester United 9/5, Draw 11/4, Liverpool 11/8
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Time is running out for Liverpool to claw their way back into the Premier League’s top four and those Champions League qualification spots. Old Trafford would surely be the worst imaginable place for those dreams to die altogether. It’s been that kind of season, though. Let’s hope a win is on the cards that can keep us believing for another week or two at least.
FORM
Manchester United Form
Manchester United fielded a much-changed squad on Tuesday night against Leicester City. They lost that game 2-1, giving Manchester City the Premier League title and striking a further nail in the coffin of Liverpool’s hopes of a top-four finish.
It was United’s fifth defeat of the season. They are second in the league on 70 points, 10 behind City and 13 ahead of Liverpool at the moment.
Liverpool Form
Liverpool have had such a stop-start campaign. After looking to rekindle their domestic form in recent weeks, The Reds then dropped points at Leeds and at home to Newcastle. Thankfully, they took all three points against Southampton on Saturday night. This leaves them six points off Leicester with a game in hand.
Many Liverpool fans just want this season to end so our injured players can get back in training and get a full pre-season under their belts. However, Jürgen Klopp knows a Champions League spot could be huge in enticing any potential incoming transfers to Anfield this summer. Unfortunately, it may be too late for Liverpool to fight back now.
TEAM NEWS
Manchester United Team News
Phil Jones, Harry Maguire, Daniel James, and Anthony Martial are out for Manchester United.
Ole Gunnar Solskjær has enjoyed what would have to be considered a relatively good season in charge of United. He normally lines his side out in a 4-2-3-1 formation. That’s likely to be the case again on Sunday with Edinson Cavani leading the line in attack.
Fred and Scott McTominay will probably be the duo at the base of the midfield with Mason Greenwood, Bruno Fernandes, and Paul Pogba farther up, just behind Rashford.
In central defence, Victor Lindelöf and Harry Maguire will partner up.
Liverpool Team News
Liverpool are without Jordan Henderson, Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Joël Matip, Caoimhin Kelleher, and Divock Origi.
Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams could continue as our centre-half partnership at Old Trafford. Ozan Kabak missed the Southampton win through injury and could still be out for this one.
In midfield, Thiago Alcântara played well and scored his first goal for Liverpool against The Saints. However, James Milner could be brought into the starting lineup in place of Thiago for some extra solidity from the start in this one.
Roberto Firmino may also return to the starting eleven in place of Diogo Jota.
PREDICTED LINEUPS
Manchester United XI (4-2-3-1) РHenderson; Wan-Bissaka, Lindel̦f, Bailly, Shaw; Fred, McTominay; Rashford, Fernandes, Pogba; Cavani
Liverpool XI (4-3-3) РAlisson; Alexander-Arnold, Phillips, Williams, Robertson; Fabinho, Wijnaldum, Milner; Salah, Firmino, Man̩
WHEN THEY LAST MET
The two rivals met twice back in January. The first game, at Anfield, was 0-0 in the Premier League. Then, seven days later, Manchester United won 3-2 at Old Trafford in the FA Cup. Mohamed Salah scored both of Liverpool’s goals that day with Mason Greenwood, Marcus Rashford, and Bruno Fernandes on the scoresheet for United.
Liverpool haven’t won at Old Trafford since 2014 when Steven Gerrard (x2 penalties) and Luis Suarez were the heroes of the day.
PREDICTION
MANCHESTER UNITED 1 – 1 LIVERPOOL
It could be a third Premier League draw in four games for Liverpool on Thursday. Back Mohamed Salah to bag at least one as he was in great form at Old Trafford in the FA Cup in January. I don’t think The Reds will have enough about them to win on Sunday, unfortunately.
