Liverpool vs Man United tips and predictions: Can Amorim heap more misery on misfiring Champions?

Premier League champions Liverpool will be looking to bring their three match losing streak to a halt this weekend as they face off against old rivals Manchester United at Anfield. 

Liverpool state of play 

Liverpool had a perfect start to the season. The Reds went five for five in the Premier League, they won their Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid and they beat Southampton in the Carabao Cup.

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Arne Slot’s side were racking up wins without performing well. The summer signings hadn’t yet settled but the Reds had enough individual quality to come out on top in match-defining moments. 

However, stoppage time winners have turned into stoppage time losses. Crystal Palace won the game in the 97th minute while Chelsea netted the winner in the 95th minute prior to the international break. Sandwiched between those two domestic defeats was a 1-0 loss to Galatasaray in Turkey. 

The Reds are now a point off the top in the Premier League and momentum is not on their side. 

Manchester United state of play

It’s been more of the same for the Red Devils this season. A narrow 1-0 loss to Arsenal on the opening weekend gave fans some hope but then they could only manage a draw with Fulham before being knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Grimsby Town. 

Ruben Amorim’s side claimed a stoppage time win over Burnley to register their first three points of the campaign. Since then, they’ve won two and lost two.

 It is a case of feast or famine for United right now. They defeated Chelsea 2-1 and Sunderland 2-0 before being hammered 3-0 by Manchester City and 3-1 by Brentford. 

They’ve kept just one clean sheet all season and summer signings Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha are struggling to really impose themselves in the final third with just one goal between them. 

Key talking point: Can Arne Slot get his red-hot attack firing? 

Liverpool invested heavily in their attack this summer. Alexander Isak was signed for £125million, Florian Wirtz joined for £100million, Hugo Ekitike cost £69million while the Reds tied Mohamed Salah down to a new two-year deal worth a reported £350,000-per-week. 

That is a significant outlay. And they’re still yet to click. Ekitike has been the best of the bunch with three goals in five starts in the Premier League. 

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Wirtz and Isak are yet to get off the mark in the English top-flight in terms of goals or assists while Salah has just one open-play goal in the top tier this term. 

The Reds need to get a return on their huge investment, sooner rather than later. 

FIRST.com’s top tip

Pick:  Mohamed Salah to score anytime in the match - 6/5 (Ladbrokes) 

While Salah hasn’t been in the best form this season, he does have an incredible record against Manchester United. 

The four-time Golden Boot winner has 16 goals in 17 appearances against the Red Devils and scored in both fixtures last season. 

Extra tips

Pick: Mohamed Salah, Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz To each have 1+ shots on target - 19/10 (Ladbrokes Price Boost)

Manchester United have one of the worst defensive records in the Premier League this season and are one of only four teams to have an Expected Goals Against total of over 10. They’re giving up chances. 

Expect the Liverpool forward line, though a little out of sorts themselves, to cause the visitors some problems. 

Pick: Manuel Ugarte to be booked - 17/10 (Ladbrokes)

Ugarte might not start but expect him to get some minutes at Anfield. Even if he comes on as a substitute, he’s well positioned to be booked. 

He’s averaging over three fouls per 90 this season in the Premier League and will be putting himself about in what is usually a full blooded clash. 

Team news

Liverpool are without Giovanni Leaoni and Alisson Becker for this clash while there are doubts over Ibrahima Konate, Ryan Gravenberch, Wataru Endo and Stefan Bajcetic, but the former two should make it. 

United, meanwhile, are definitely without Lisandro Martinez while Noussair Mazraoui might miss out. 

Liverpool and Manchester United predicted line-ups

Liverpool: Mamardashvili; Szoboszlai, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Isak. (4-2-3-1)

Manchester United: Lammens; Yoro, De Ligt, Shaw; Dalot, Fernandes, Casemiro, Dorgu; Mbeumo, Mount; Sesko (3-4-2-1)

Form guide (all competitions)

Liverpool: WWWWWWWLLL

Manchester United: LWLDLWLWLW

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Odds correct at the time of writing.