Liverpool will be hoping to end gameweek 31 at the top of the Premier League table as they visit Old Trafford to face arch-rivals Manchester United on Sunday.
Jurgen Klopp’s side returned to the summit of the table with a routine win over Championship-bound Sheffield United on Thursday and, after winning 10 of their last 12 games in the top flight, they will be confident of piling the misery onto their rivals on Sunday.
Manchester United ended The Reds’ dreams of an unprecedented quadruple in Klopp’s final season with the club but the Carabao Cup winners are still on track to send their legendary manager off on a high, sitting top of the table and also touted as hot favourites to go all the way in the Europa League.
Meanwhile, at the other end of the M62, Manchester United were left reeling as they picked up yet another unwanted record in midweek as Cole Palmer scored two absurdly late goals to turn a 3-2 deficit into a 4-3 win for Chelsea.
These goals, which came in the 110th and 111th minutes, make Manchester United the first team to lead after 100 minutes but still go on to lose the game, piling the pressure onto the beleaguered Erik ten Hag as the Red Devils struggle to keep pace in the battle for European qualification.
They now sit 11 points adrift of Aston Villa in fourth and nine points behind Tottenham in fifth as they head into the business end of the season.
Dabble sign-up offer: Bet £10+ & Receive £10 In Free Bets
Not signed up to Dabble yet? Here's how to claim the Bet £10+ & Receive £10 In Free Bets welcome offer:
- Sign up to Dabble through this link
- Register your account with accurate personal details
- Place your first bet of £10 or more
- Receive your £10 in free bets when your qualifying bet has setted
- Use your Free Bet on any eligible sportsbook market within 7 days
#AD 18+ 7-day free bet expiry. Stake not returned. Promotional Terms Apply. GambleAware.org
Manchester United vs Liverpool team news
Already dealing with mounting pressure and an injury crisis, Erik ten Hag’s woes were added to on Thursday night by both the result and the injuries sustained, leaving the Dutchman with an increasingly threadbare squad for Liverpool’s visit.
Raphael Varane, Jonny Evans and Casemiro all picked up knocks at Stamford Bridge and could miss out on Sunday afternoon, joining an injury list that already contains four first-team defenders.
Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, Victor Lindelof, Lisandro Martinez and Anthony Martial are all ruled out, with teenager Willy Kambwala set to partner Harry Maguire at the back.
Jurgen Klopp is not without his own problems as he takes his team to Manchester, although he will hope to have the excellent Wataru Endo back available after a brief spell on the sidelines.
First-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker and Trent Alexander-Arnold are both a couple of weeks away from returning, leaving the impressive Caoimhin Kelleher and Conor Bradley to continue deputising. Diogo Jota, Joel Matip, Stefan Bajcetic and Thiago Alcantara also remain ruled out.
Manchester United vs Liverpool predicted line-ups
Manchester United (4-2-3-1): Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Kambwala, Maguire, Dalot; McTominay, Mainoo; Garnacho, Fernandes, Rashford; Hojlund
Liverpool (4-3-3): Kelleher; Bradley, Konate, van Dijk, Robertson; Endo, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister; Salah, Diaz, Nunez