Prediction: Liverpool vs Manchester United

Verdict: Total goals over 3.5

Best odds: 13/10

Bookmaker: Unibet

For what seems years beyond count, clashes between Liverpool and Manchester United have been described as the ‘big one’ in English football. It still is the meeting of two clubs with the most trophies in the history of the sport in the country, and a fierce rivalry at so many levels, but one cannot shake off the feeling that Manchester City have taken that rod from their neighbours over the last decade, as Liverpool rise once more after a long slumber.

Nonetheless, Liverpool host Manchester United at Anfield on Tuesday, in what will be the 32nd match of the Premier League campaign for the Merseysiders, and the 33rd for the Red Devils.

Liverpool

Liverpool are going through an extraordinary season. They’ve won the Carabao Cup and remain tight in the battles for everything else. Sitting second to Manchester City by a single point, they’re looking to go level with United’s record of 20 league titles. It’ll be very tight, probably to the last round, and they cannot afford any slip-ups.

In the Champions League, they passed through the so-called ‘group of death’ with flying colours, beating each of Atletico Madrid, FC Porto and AC Milan twice, got past Inter Milan in the round of 16, as well as Benfica in the quarterfinals. They will now face Villarreal in the semis.

Liverpool’s supporters are still abuzz with the triumph over Manchester City in the semifinals of the FA Cup on Saturday, and Jurgen Klopp’s team will be facing Chelsea in the final, just like they did in the Carabao Cup.

Their recent form can hardly be described as spectacular, but they’re getting the results they need. In the last six matches in all competitions, they beat Nottingham Forest away in the quarterfinals of the FA Cup by 0-1, Watford at home in the league by 2-0, Benfica in Lisbon in the Champions League by 1-3, drew 2-2 away to Manchester City in the league, drew 3-3 at home against Benfica in the second leg, and beat City 3-2 in the FA Cup semifinal at Wembley.

Ibrahima Konate scored his third goal in four matches to break the deadlock, Sadio Mane took advantage of a blunder by City goalkeeper Zack Steffen to make it two, before rounding off a great team move with a strong volley to make it three. City bounced back after the break through Jack Grealish and Bernardo Silva, but it obviously wasn’t enough.

Team News

Klopp still has the full squad at his disposal; there are no injuries. The German was forced to rotate the team significantly lately by a jam-packed schedule.

Against United, he’s likely to bring back Joel Matip into the lineup ahead of Konate, and his front line might also look differently compared to Saturday, with Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino both looking to start. In the middle of the park, Jordan Henderson might replace Naby Keita.

Manchester United

After they signed Cristiano Ronaldo and Raphael Varane last summer, many expected United to be challenging for the title at this point, but the reality is something completely else. Their supporters are currently hoping that the reportedly imminent appointment of Ajax boss Erik ten Hag for next season might make a difference in the future, but as it stands, they’ll need all the points they can get between now and the end of the season just to qualify for the Champions League. Otherwise, even the Europa League might end up beyond their reach.

Ralf Rangnick’s team are currently fifth, with 54 points, three less than Tottenham Hotspur in fourth and with the same tally as Arsenal in sixth, though the Gunners have a game in hand on both rivals.

Unlike Liverpool, United didn’t have much success in other competitions either, and it’s 100% certain they’ll be finishing the season without a trophy again.

As for their last-six run, United were thrashed 4-1 by City at the Etihad, but then they managed to beat Spurs at home by 3-2. Then they were knocked out of the Champions League in the round of 16 by Atletico Madrid, who left Old Trafford with a 0-1 victory. They drew 1-1 at home against Leicester City, lost 1-0 away to Everton, and eventually managed to beat relegation-battlers Norwich City at home by 3-2.

It was Ronaldo who saved the day with a hat-trick, while Kieran Dowell and Teemu Pukki struck for the visitors.

Team News

The big news at the moment is that attacking midfielder Bruno Fernandes has been involved in a car crash on Monday morning, but he hasn’t been hurt and he’s likely to be ready to play.

The good news for Rangnick is that centre-back Raphael Varane might be back in contention by Tuesday, having apparently recovered from some muscular issues. Elsewhere, the news is rather bad.

Striker Edinson Cavani (calf), midfielder Fred (hip) and left-back Luke Shaw (calf) have been ruled out, as has, of course, forward Mason Greenwood who won’t be returning to training until further notice due to ongoing criminal proceedings against him. Midfielder Scot McTominay (foot) is a huge doubt.

Alex Telles will surely start on the left defensive flank again. Against Norwich, Jesse Lingard started in midfield alongside Fernandes and Paul Pogba, but if McTominay and Fred are both unavailable, it stands to reason to expect Nemanja Matic in the team against Liverpool. Marcus Rashford will be hoping for a chance ahead of Anthony Elanga upfront, supporting Ronaldo together with Jadon Sancho.

Conclusion

Regardless of their respective positions in the Premier League table, this is still a huge rivalry and Anfield will surely be bouncing in support of the home team. Given everything we’ve seen from them recently, Liverpool shouldn’t have too many problems in settling the affair in their favour, and there should be plenty of goals.

Verdict: Total goals over 3.5

Best odds: 13/10

Bookmaker: Unibet