Breakfast hate duel between two in-form arch-enemies
Manchester United and Liverpool share one of the greatest rivalries in English football. In the still young 2022/23 season, however, there is another commonality that will provide additional explosiveness and excitement on Monday evening as part of the third matchday. Both ambitious top clubs are still waiting for their first treble. For the first time ever, these two clubs will face each other in a first division clash under these circumstances.
Of course, it would be a little too early to speak of a real crisis summit after two match days, but especially the loser of the upcoming match must already be seriously concerned about achieving the season’s goals at this point of the season.
The situation is even more dramatic for the Red Devils, who are even at the bottom of the Premier League table and are therefore underdogs according to the odds ahead of the Manchester United vs.
While United have lost both of their competitive matches under new manager Erik ten Hag in shocking fashion, the Reds have managed to salvage a draw in each of their two matches. 2012/13 was the last time LFC did not have a treble after three matchdays. Exactly ten years later, such a horror scenario is to be avoided at all costs.
On balance, there are many indications that the prediction of a win for the visitors will pay off in the eagerly awaited Monday night match between Manchester United and Liverpool. Among other things, a look at the most recent head-to-head clashes between the arch-rivals.
Manchester United – Statistics & current form
Manchester United fans are really not to be envied at the moment. Everything is going wrong that can go wrong. The slight euphoria that followed the signing of former Ajax coach Erik ten Hag and some passable performances in preparation has long since given way to a great deal of scaremongering. Gloating and ridicule are the order of the day. Manchester United are currently being ridiculed by their own supporters and the media.
From a purely sporting point of view, the English record champions have made a forgettable start. On the first matchday, the Red Devils lost 2-1 at home to Brighton, and last weekend they suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat at Brentford. All four goals were conceded in the first half. The performance against the club from the capital, which is considered a relegation candidate, was hardly to be surpassed in terms of embarrassment.
Manchester United have pressure on the kettle
For only the fourth time in the club’s history and for the first time since 1986/87, they are now threatened with a total false start in the form of three defeats in the first three matchdays. In fact, four defeats in a row have already been recorded across the season. The last time the club lost five first division games in a row was 50 (!) years ago. Erik ten Hag is also facing a sad negative record, as no new United coach has lost all of his first three Premier League matches for over 100 years.
Given these pitiful statistics and the even more disastrous impressions from the first two games, it would be too much of a risk to tip the balance in the direction of the bottom side between Manchester United and Liverpool. The poor record against the upcoming opponents, which is reflected in only one win from the past twelve PL duels, serves as another veritable argument in favour.
United will definitely have to do without new signing Casemiro on Monday evening, who is not eligible to play. Manchester paid a whopping 60 million euros for the experienced Real Madrid six. With his routine, tackling ability and brilliant mentality, he should lead the team back to its former strength. The return of Anthony Martial also gives hope, but he will probably be on the bench for the time being after injury. Despite two defeats, Dutch coach ten Hag, who is already under pressure, is not aiming for many changes in the starting eleven.
Predicted Manchester United line-up:
De Gea; Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Malacia; Fernandes, Fred, Eriksen; Sancho, Ronaldo, Rashford
Last matches played by Manchester United:
Premier League
13/08/2022 – Brentford 4 – 0 Manchester United
07/08/2022 – Manchester United 1 – 2 Brighton
Club Friendlies
31/07/2022 – Manchester United 1 – 1 Rayo Vallecano
30/07/2022 – Manchester United 0 – 1 Atletico Madrid
23/07/2022 – Manchester United 2 – 2 Aston Villa
Liverpool – Statistics & current form
Liverpool FC can be glad at the moment that there is another top English club, Manchester United, who are struggling with even bigger problems. Otherwise, the media coverage would probably be harsher on the Reds.
Although Jürgen Klopp puts the average start to the season into perspective with two draws in the first two rounds of matches and is extremely reluctant to speak of a false start, the gap to defending champions Manchester City could grow to seven points after just three matches. To prevent this scenario, which could already be tantamount to a preliminary decision, only a three-goal win counts on Monday evening in the Theatre of Dreams. The odds on an away win between Manchester United and Liverpool are in the region of 1.65, which makes it clear that the bookmakers give the Reds the better chances.
On the one hand, this assessment is due to the recent comparisons between these teams. LFC are now unbeaten in eight league games against United and could celebrate four Premier League wins in a row against their arch-rivals for the first time in over 20 years. On the other hand, despite the two aforementioned draws against Fulham and Crystal Palace, Klopp’s charges left a far better impression than the point-less Red Devils.
Mo Salah loves United and Old Trafford
Apart from that, the reigning runners-up and Champions League finalists have a true United expert on board in Mo Salah. In his most recent four competitive games against the upcoming opponents, the Egyptian scored a whopping eight goals. Six of them at Old Trafford, by the way. In total, the former world footballer has already scored nine goals against ManUtd.
On Monday evening, he could become the first Reds player to score a double-digit number of goals against the big enemy.
Jürgen Klopp will definitely have to do without the suspended Darwin Nunez. Bobbi Firmino is likely to start up front in his place. The hospital is also full to bursting. Thiago, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Matip, Konate, Jota, Jones, Kelleher and Ramsey are all out injured. Henderson and Gomez should nevertheless add some stability to the starting eleven. The options from the bench are limited in view of the tight personnel situation.
Predicted Liverpool line-up:
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Elliott, Fabinho, Henderson; Salah, Firmino, Diaz
Last matches played by Liverpool:
Premier League
16/08/2022 – Liverpool FC 1 – 1 Crystal Palace
06/08/2022 – Fulham 2 – 2 Liverpool FC
Club Friendlies
01/08/2022 – Liverpool FC 0 – 3 Strasbourg
Community Shield
30/07/2022 – Liverpool FC 3 – 1 Manchester City
Club Friendlies
28/07/2022 – RB Salzburg 1 – 0 Liverpool FC
Manchester United – Liverpool Direct Comparison / H2H Record
There have been 174 meetings between these long-time rivals in the English top flight alone. Manchester United lead the way with 66 wins and 50 draws. However, LFC have also won 58 times.
Monday night will be the first time in 50 years that these clubs have met in the Premier League in August. With advantages for the Reds, who have lost only one of their last 12 matches in the league against United (six draws, five wins). For the first time in history, Liverpool could win three consecutive league matches at Old Trafford. The last time the Scousers won four in a row was in 2002.
LFC fans will also fondly remember last season’s 5-0 win at the Theatre of Dreams. The return leg at Anfield Road was also a clear-cut affair for the runners-up, 4-0.
Manchester United – Liverpool Tip
About 15 months ago, an away match between Liverpool Football Club and Manchester United had to be cancelled at short notice. This was due to protests by home fans against the introduction of a Super League. Although this issue has been settled for the time being, fierce opposition is expected again on Monday. These are primarily directed against the United owning family. The Glazers are blamed for the Red Devils’ creeping relegation.
We hope, however, that the sporting side will take centre stage in the “Game of the week” on matchday three. Rarely has the table position of these two arch-rivals been so explosive. United are in last place, have zero points after two matchdays and are the laughing stock of many football fans, not only in England. But the Reds cannot be satisfied with two points from two matches either and also have pressure on the kettle.
Despite this, we have decided to place a tip on the away win between Manchester United and Liverpool. In our eyes, LFC are the better team at the moment, despite a poor start. The problems on the home side are so varied and tricky that we don’t believe the trend will be reversed against Klopp’s charges, against whom they have won only one of the past twelve PL duels.
