Manchester United will host Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday, September 1, in what promises to be a thrilling encounter between two of England’s biggest and most successful clubs.
New Liverpool manager Arne Slot faces his biggest test yet after a dream start to life in the dugout for the away side with two out of two wins, while Erik ten Hag will be looking to reassert United's dominance after a shaky start.
Manchester United Looking to Bounce Back | Home Win = 3.87
Manchester United kicked off their season with a narrow 1-0 victory over Fulham, thanks to a late winner from new signing Joshua Zirkzee. However, their momentum was halted by a last-minute 2-1 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend, exposing some defensive frailties.
United will be keen to bounce back and regain confidence at Old Trafford, where they have lost just one of their last seven home league games. Ten Hag’s men have struggled for consistency in recent times, making their form unpredictable.
The Dutch manager faces a selection headache with some injuries and a host of new players who have not gotten into rhythm. The pressure will be on United to deliver against their fierce rivals, as another loss could see them fall behind early in the race for the top four.
Liverpool & Arne Slot Hoping Honeymoon Continues | Away Win = 1.91
Liverpool have enjoyed a strong start under Arne Slot, winning their first two Premier League matches against Ipswich Town and Brentford with identical 2-0 score lines in what feels like a honeymoon phase between the two parties.
The Reds have shown defensive solidity and attacking flair, with Slot becoming the first Liverpool manager in the Premier League era to win his first two top-flight matches. Liverpool’s consistency from the end of last season has carried over, as they have now lost only three of their last 33 league games.
Sunday’s match will be Slot’s toughest challenge so far, but the Merseysiders will be confident, given their recent record against United. Liverpool have lost just one of their last 12 Premier League meetings with the Red Devils and have scored 23 goals in the past seven league encounters.
Key Players & Team News:
Manchester United will have to cope without several first-team players due to injuries. Leny Yoro, Mason Mount, Luke Shaw, Rasmus Hojlund, Tyrell Malacia, and Victor Lindelof are all sidelined, limiting Ten Hag's options.
In contrast, Liverpool have no new injury concerns, although Curtis Jones remains a doubt for the trip to Manchester.
For United, much will depend on the performances of skipper Bruno Fernandes and young stars Garnacho and Armad Diallo, who will be tasked with breaking down a resilient Liverpool defense.
Liverpool’s attacking threat will be spearheaded by Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota, and Luiz Diaz, while new signing Federico Chiesa may also play a crucial role.
Match Stats & Betting Odds | Draw = 4.37
Manchester United lead the all-time head-to-head record against Liverpool with 91 wins compared to Liverpool's 81, along with 70 draws in their 242 meetings. | Specials Market: Home/Draw & Over 1.5 = 2.17
However, Liverpool have been dominant in this fixture over the last few seasons, losing just twice (2) in their last eight meetings against United in all competitions, and just thrice (3) in their last 14. | Specials Market: Away & Over 1.5 = 1.96
Liverpool have scored 23 goals in their last seven league meetings with United while there have been three (3) over 3.5 goals in the last five Man United vs Liverpool fixtures (2-2, 4-3, 7-0) with one (1) over 2.5 (0-3) | Main Market: Over 3.5 goals = 2.12
With both teams having something to prove, Sunday’s match is set to be a classic. Liverpool’s strong start and United’s need to respond make this a must-watch encounter. The outcome could provide early indications of where both teams stand in the Premier League pecking order this season.
You can follow and bet on the EPL game, Man United vs Liverpool, on MSport here.
