Liverpool vs Man Utd tips and predictions: Expect landslide win for Salah and co

Liverpool state of play

It was another emphatic win for Liverpool on Sunday evening, putting five past West Ham to maintain their seven-point lead at the top of the Premier League. Mohamed Salah was of course on the scoresheet, but he was joined by four others in Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Diogo Jota.

The Reds haven't lost in all competitions since their fourth game of the season against this year's surprise package, Nottingham Forest. Arsenal and Chelsea are their only real competition for the title, but they're nine and 10 points off the pace respectively.

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With 22 points from nine games at Anfield, Liverpool take on Man United with the best home record in the league. They also haven't lost to their rivals on home soil in nine games (W5 D4).

Manchester United state of play

Things went from bad to worse for Ruben Amorim on Monday night as Newcastle condemned his side to a fourth straight defeat in all competitions. Since the Portuguese's first game on 24 November, only rockbottom Southampton (7) have lost more games than United (6).

They're now without a point or goal since their shock win over Man City earlier this month – and the Old Trafford faithful let their feelings known when they booed off striker Joshua Zirkzee in the first half against Newcastle.

United will end the calendar year in 14th place, the lowest position at this point in the season since 1989. They're now just seven points above the dreaded dotted line, with Amorim admitting relegation is a real 'possibility'.

Key talking point: Liverpool can humiliate rivals Man United on Merseyside

Liverpool have been rampant in front of goal of late, averaging 3.5 goals in their six Premier League games in December. That included six at Tottenham, three at Newcastle and five at West Ham last time out.

Any of Salah, Gakpo, Diaz, Jota and Darwin Nunez will be licking their lips at the prospect of facing a United side. Since Amorim took charge, they've kept just one clean sheet in 11 games and that was against the league's second-worst attack in Everton.

It could easily turn into a cricket score at Anfield, where United haven't won since 2016.

FIRST’s top tip for Liverpool vs Man United

Liverpool to score over 3.5 goals at 23/10 (BetMGM)

Extra tips

Mohamed Salah to score first 49/25 (ZetBet)

Salah has scored more goals against United than any other opponent, scoring 15 in his 16 meetings. He's also the league's top marksman this season with 17 strikes to his name already. He's 39/50 to score anytime, but there's value in 49/25 for him to score first.

Liverpool to score a penalty at 7/2 (BetMGM)

Only Bournemouth (5) have scored more penalties than Liverpool (4) this season. With tensions high in this heated north west derby, the Reds could get another chance to score from the spot.

Team news

United are still without suspended captain Bruno Fernandes, but Manuel Ugarte is back after serving his one-match ban. He'll likely come in for one of veteran midfielders Christian Eriksen or Casemiro, who did not work well together against Newcastle.

Marcus Rashford was an unused substitute but will be hopeful for his first minutes since being exiled. Mason Mount, Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw remain on the sidelines through injury.

Jarell Quansah should come in for Liverpool at centre-back after Joe Gomez limped off with a hamstring issue against West Ham, with first-choice Ibrahima Konate not expected back until later next month.

Dominik Szoboszlai is back from suspension, leaving Conor Bradley as the only other player out for the Reds through injury.

Liverpool vs Man United predicted line-ups

Liverpool XI: Alisson; Robertson, Van Dijk, Quansah, Alexander-Arnold; Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Jones; Salah, Jota, Nunez

Man Utd XI: Onana; Yoro, De Ligt, Maguire; Dalot, Mainoo, Ugarte, Mazraoui; Eriksen, Amad; Hojlund (3-4-2-1)

Form guide (all competitions)

Liverpool: WWWDWDWWWW

Man United: WWLLWWLLLL