A Juggernaut Liverpool
Liverpool, under the guidance of Arne Slot, have been nothing short of a juggernaut this season. The Reds are cruising at the top of the Premier League, sitting a commanding 23 points clear of Manchester United, who are in the midst of a struggle. Slot’s men have been dominant, particularly in attack, with the likes of Luis Diaz, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah, and Diogo Jota all contributing to their remarkable run of form.
As 2024 came to a close, Liverpool continued their impressive streak by thumping West Ham 5-0 on December 29, with a five-goal barrage from a combination of attackers. This win marked their fourth consecutive victory across all competitions and extended their unbeaten run to an astonishing 23 matches. Their relentless attacking style has seen them score multiple goals in almost every outing, and they will look to continue that trend against Manchester United on Sunday.
Defensively, the Reds have also shown resilience, with the West Ham win breaking a four-game run without a clean sheet. Despite some vulnerability on the road, Liverpool are comfortably the best-performing team at home in the league, having won their last four at Anfield and showing no signs of slowing down.
Manchester United's Struggles
In stark contrast, Manchester United are mired in a crisis. Under manager Ruben Amorim, they have suffered four consecutive defeats, including a humiliating 3-0 loss to Newcastle United at Old Trafford on December 30. United have now slipped into 14th place, just seven points above the relegation zone, and are facing one of their worst seasons in recent memory.
Their attacking woes have been particularly troubling, having failed to score in three consecutive league matches, a run not seen in the Premier League era. Moreover, with recent performances exposing frailties at both ends of the pitch, United find themselves in desperate need of a result to salvage their season.
In their last outing, the team was outclassed by Newcastle, with Alexander Isak and Joelinton exposing their defensive weaknesses. With manager Amorim under increasing pressure, it’s hard to see how his side can reverse their fortunes, especially given their poor record against Liverpool in recent years. Their inability to score and stop goals makes this clash seem like an insurmountable task for the visitors.
Team News and Key Players
Liverpool’s defense has been slightly depleted by injuries, with Joe Gomez expected to miss several weeks due to a hamstring injury. Arguably their strongest partnership in the center of defense, Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, may be reinforced with Jarell Quansah in the absence of Gomez, as Konate only returns to training shortly before the match. Midfield reinforcements include Dominik Szoboszlai, who returns from suspension, though Curtis Jones will be hoping to retain his starting place after assisting Salah’s goal against West Ham.
For Manchester United, there is a glimmer of hope with Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte returning from suspension. However, they will be without key figures such as Marcus Rashford (recently returning to the squad) and several injured players, including Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw. The pressure will be on players like Fernandes and Amad Diallo to provide the spark for a team in desperate need of a turnaround.
The Head-to-Head
Despite Liverpool’s recent dominance, the head-to-head record between these two sides is not as one-sided as it may appear. United managed to hold Liverpool to a 0-0 draw at Anfield last season, although that result was seen as a missed opportunity for the Reds, who racked up an incredible 34 shots without breaking the deadlock. However, in their last encounter at Old Trafford, Liverpool triumphed 3-0 in one of their most comprehensive victories over United in recent memory.
Historically, United have struggled in their trips to Anfield, failing to win in their last nine visits. Given their current form, it's hard to see them breaking this streak against a Liverpool team in such fine form.
Conclusion
As Liverpool charge towards the title, this game represents another step in their quest for Premier League glory. With their attacking depth and solid home form, they will be strong favorites to extend their lead at the top. Meanwhile, Manchester United face an uphill battle, with their season hanging by a thread. A defeat on Sunday could see them tumble further down the table and heap even more pressure on Amorim. The stage is set for a high-stakes clash at Anfield, and it promises to be another thrilling chapter in this fierce rivalry.
