Premier League: Liverpool and Manchester United Duel for Top Spot

Liverpool vs Manchester United

Now that’s a headline which will be music to the ears of Red Devils fans who have longed, for seven agonising years, to stand shoulder to shoulder with their fiercest rivals.

But they can do better than that. When head coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer leads his team onto the famous Anfield turf, Manchester United will be three points clear at the top of the Premier League table, ahead of second placed Liverpool.

This match could not be set up any better!

The two teams have been drawn together in the fourth round of the FA Cup too, but league matters take precedence just for now. Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool coasted to the title last season but they are under attack from more than one front. The current Premier League 2021 betting odds back Manchester City at around 1.75 to win the title with Liverpool at 4.00 and Manchester United 8.00.

Talking Points

Liverpool’s post Christmas hangover

Jurgen Klopp’s side was relentless last season in pursuit of a first league title in 30 years, but less so this term, and a run of poor results has let the two Manchester Clubs into the race.

After hammering Crystal Palace 7-0 just before Christmas the Reds have subsequently played out draws with relegation candidates West Brom and Newcastle, before losing to Southampton, as old boy Danny Ings continued his impressive run of form over the past 12 months, scoring the only goal in the game.

Liverpool are winless in their last 3 Premier League games and aim to grab 3 points against Manchester United — Mohamed Salah leads the Premier League top scorers this season with 13 goals

They recovered to beat Aston Villa’s youngsters in the FA Cup and will now hope to rediscover the winning habit in the league. While new recruit Diogo Jota took the plaudits early in the season with five goals, Mo Salah is hitting top form again and has 13 in the league to lead the race for the Golden Boot, and he rounded off Liverpool’s 4-1 victory over the Villains with a second half strike.

Is it time for Manchester United fans to get excited?

UK TV pundit and former United legend Gary Neville believes they should, after beating Burnley on Tuesday night, saying: “Top of the league before Sunday, it feels like a big moment. Eight weeks ago you were never thinking Manchester United could be anywhere near that position. Yet now they see something building, a spirit growing.”

He’s even shared a video of himself humming the chant Red Devils’ fans used to sing on the terraces: Gary Neville is a Red…he hates Scousers!”

Centre back worries

Both teams are in the market for a centre back in this transfer window and with the news that Red Bull Leipzig may be happy to let Dayot Upamecano go, they could be set to pounce.

Liverpool’s centre back pairing Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk are both out with long term injuries, while Victor Lindelof has missed the last four for United. Liverpool’s need may be greater as Harry Maguire and Eric Bailly did a superb job in repelling a late Burnley onslaught to win Tuesday’s game for Manchester United.

Why is Paul Pogba suddenly on his game again?

Turf Moor is never an easy place to go but United eventually overcame a stubborn Clarets defence, thanks to an inspirational performance from the enigmatic French World Cup winner.

Pogba’s return to form takes the pressure off Bruno Fernandes, top scorer from midfield with 11 goals and seven assists, the man who has been head and shoulders above his team-mates since his arrival last January. If Pogba’s agent can keep quiet there may still be a future for him at Old Trafford. Maybe he’s realised they’re not a bad side after all!

History

With 19 top flight titles, Liverpool’s 2020 triumph took them to within one of Manchester United’s 20, and the Red Devils would dearly love to maintain that slender advantage, particularly as Liverpool leads the European title duel by six to three.

Since the Premier League transformed English football these two northern giants have been ever-presents in the top flight and have met 63 times. Manchester United have won 30 to Liverpool’s 20 and there have been jus 13 draws.

Last season Liverpool won this corresponding fixture 2-0 with goals from Van Dijk and Salah, but recent form slightly favours the Red Devils. Both have lost just once in the last six games, though United have won four and drawn one, while Liverpool have won three and drawn two.

Liverpool’s home record of seven wins and one draw matches exactly the Red Devils’ away record so, unless we have a stalemate, this becomes a sequence breaker for one of them.

When the Premier League 2021 results are in at the end of the weekend we may have a new leader, but for now Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team is top dog.

Betting Tip

	Liverpool vs Manchester United	Under 2.75 @ 2.01
	January 18, 00:30 (GMT+8)

With Liverpool at 1.99, the draw at 3.35 and the Red Devils at 3.35 I’m tempted to go for the draw, but with so much riding on it, I think we may see a nervy game and a low scoring outcome.