Liverpool v Manchester United betting preview: Free tips, prediction & latest odds for Premier League game at Anfield
Liverpool are backed to make a fast start at Anfield to help them get the better of arch rivals Manchester United in Sunday's huge showdown.
Recommended bet
1pt Liverpool to lead at half time at Evens
1pt Ander Herrera & Ashley Young to both be carded at 11/2
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It's the biggest game of the weekend and one of the biggest games of the season as Manchester United make the short trip along the M62 to face Liverpool at Anfield.
The Reds are top of the table and already 16 points ahead of United - who are the same distance away from the relegation zone as they are from the Premier League summit.
Despite all the negativity surrounding Jose Mourinho's side, he has had the formula to thwart Liverpool's attacking verve in recent visits to Merseyside and the Red Devils are unbeaten in their last eight league meetings with their arch rivals.
Good stats then, to keep the travelling fans hopeful on Sunday afternoon and Mourinho has insisted he has enough quality in his side to try and grab the win, despite having as many as nine players either out or doubtful.
And to be fair to Mourinho, his team has played well in games against Arsenal and Chelsea, but there's just not a lot of confidence coming out of the camp and it's so hard to make a case for them getting anything from the game.
Betting guide
Prediction: Liverpool 2-0 Man Utd (Sky Bet odds: 13/2)
I don't think this will be as comfortable as 2-0 looks as you better believe Mourinho will have his side well-drilled and looking to give nothing away at Anfield. That Napoli victory could do wonders for Liverpool though who've not hit top gear yet this season, which seems strange to say considering they're unbeaten and top, but illustrates the current gap between the sides.
Best Bet: Liverpool to lead at half time at Evens
A big crowd, a decent atmosphere, the Super Sunday game on the back of another glorious European night at Anfield all add up to a fast start from Klopp's Reds, and United have been slow starters this season, finding themselves behind six times at the break this season.
Goals: Xherdan Shaqiri to score at 2/1
Either from the start or off the bench, the Swiss star has looked effective whenever he's played for the Reds this season, so at the price he's decent value to find the net at some stage.
Specials: Ander Herrera & Ashley Young to both be carded at 11/2
It'll be tough, it'll be scrappy at times and there's no love lost between these two players and the Anfield crowd. They both get stuck in and Herrera will be in the midfield war zone while Young will have Mo Salah to deal with - he's kept him quiet before and aggression was the key, giving him plenty of chances to overstep the mark.
RequestABet: Herrera booked, Mane to score, Salah & Mane 1+ shots on target, 10+ corners
Liverpool v Man Utd Opta stats
- This will be the 201st meeting between Liverpool and Manchester United in all competitions, with the Merseysiders winning 65 and suffering 80 defeats (55 draws).
- Manchester United are looking to win back-to-back league games against Liverpool for the first time since January 2016, when they won four in a row.
- Liverpool are winless in their last eight Premier League games against Manchester United (D3 L5) – they haven’t gone longer without a win against the Red Devils in league competition since April 1988 (12 games).
- The last two games between Liverpool and Manchester United at Anfield have finished level (both 0-0) – only once previously have these sides drawn three consecutive games in all competitions on Merseyside (in January 1921).
- This is the most points Manchester United have been behind Liverpool in the league table before Christmas since Christmas Eve 1990 (16 points), while it’s the most points Liverpool have been ahead of Manchester United ahead of a top-flight meeting between the sides since March 1990 (21 points).
- Liverpool are currently on their joint-best Premier League unbeaten run (17 games). They last had a longer run in the top-flight between March-November 1990 (23 games).
- Liverpool haven’t conceded more than once in any of their last 19 Premier League games (seven conceded in total), their longest such run in the top-flight since a run of 38 between April 1978 and April 1979.
- Manchester United have conceded 26 goals in 16 Premier League games this season – just two fewer than they conceded in the whole of 2017-18 (28 in 38).
- Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has won 50% of his Premier League away games at Anfield (4/8); the best win percentage among managers with 5+ such games in the competition.
- Liverpool’s attacking trio of Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane are all yet to score or assist in a Premier League game for the club against Manchester United (combined total of 855 minutes played).
- Manchester United’s Juan Mata has been involved in seven Premier League goals against Liverpool (3 goals, 4 assists), including three in his three at Anfield. Only against Newcastle (8) has the Spaniard been involved in more goals in the competition.
- As well as being the joint-top scorer in the Premier League this season (10), Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah has scored the opening goal in more Premier League games (7) and the winning goal in more Premier League games (6) than any other player this term.