Buckle up! Liverpool head to Man United within the Premier League seeking to proper the grim wrongs of final season and begin afresh beneath a brand new head coach.
Man United vs. Liverpool
Premier League (3) | Previous Trafford
September 1, 2024 | 4pm (BST)
Arne Slot‘s begin to life because the Reds’ head coach has began impressively, with back-to-back wins sealed within the league.
Sunday’s conflict with United is a far higher check, although, as Liverpool make the journey to their most bitter rivals, the place they’ve struggled so typically.
Right here is all you might want to know forward of an enormous Premier League sport.
1. Slot’s largest check but
Every little thing feels rosey for Slot at the moment, following victories in opposition to Ipswich and Brentford, with supporters having fun with his type of play.
The Dutchman’s calm method has caught the attention, and maybe most significantly, he’s doing issues his means as a substitute of copying Jurgen Klopp.
Sunday’s conflict with United is well the best check that Slot has needed to date, nevertheless, and that is one other stage of strain on him.
His techniques will likely be beneath the microscope, in addition to his capability to get a efficiency out of his gamers at Previous Trafford.
Win and his repute will likely be sky-high heading into the worldwide break, however a limp defeat might see the primary eyebrows raised.
2. Don’t miss kick off
We have now grown accustomed to Sunday afternoon matches kicking off at 4.30pm (BST), however issues are totally different this weekend.
Kick-off at Previous Trafford is definitely 4pm, which is an try to try to stop crowd hassle in a famously tense rivalry.
The Premier League have reportedly paid the police a £7 million ‘sweetener’ for his or her providers, with issues nonetheless arising in regards to the sport beginning too late, permitting for extra consuming time.
Right here’s hoping that tragedy chanting could be prevented from each units of supporters, with the deal with an enchanting sport as a substitute.
3. Debut for brand new third equipment
Liverpool unveiled their new third equipment earlier this week, that includes a vertical Nike emblem to lift consciousness for his or her ‘Collectively We Rise’ assortment to rejoice the ladies’s sport.
The white shirt is accompanied by socks of the identical color and black shorts, whereas Alisson‘s inexperienced strip has already been worn this season.
Liverpool supporters will see the strip in motion for the primary time in opposition to United – right here’s hoping it’s a fortunate allure!
The equipment could be bought from the membership’s official retailer right here.
4. United nonetheless mediocre beneath Ten Hag
For all their summer season spending, a few of which might show to be efficient, United nonetheless look common with Erik ten Hag in cost. They’ve one win (Fulham) and one defeat (Brighton) to this point.
United have gamers who can damage you – they at all times will – however they haven’t any distinct enjoying type, appear simple to run via and nonetheless really feel like a bunch of people.
Talking of, will probably be fascinating to see if Ten Hag shuffles his pack following the loss at Brighton, with new signings doubtlessly closely concerned.
Matthijs de Ligt and Joshua Zirkzee might make their first begins, coming in for Harry Maguire and Mason Mount, with the latter out injured for various weeks.
However the membership missed the deadline to register midfielder Manuel Ugarte for this fixture.
Leny Yoro, Victor Lindelof, Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia and Rasmus Hojlund are all out injured.
Attainable Man United XI: Onana; Mazraoui, De Ligt, Martinez, Dalot; Casemiro, Mainoo; Diallo, Fernandes, Rashford; Zirkzee
5. 1 harm absence anticipated for Liverpool
Curtis Jones is predicted to overlook out on the weekend motion as a consequence of harm, with Slot confirming he was nonetheless unable to coach on Friday. Fortunately, he’s to be the one anticipated absentee.
For that cause, the boss is prone to identify the identical beginning XI that acquired the higher of Brentford, with Ibrahima Konate once more most well-liked to Jarell Quansah.
Ryan Gravenberch has shone in a deep-lying midfield function and may begin once more, however this may simply be his sternest check but in that place.
New signing Federico Chiesa is eligible to function, however “there’s a larger probability that he’s not within the squad,” says Slot.
Predicted Liverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister; Salah, Diaz, Jota
6. Slot’s reward for brand new signing
Talking on Friday, Slot spoke of the plan for Chiesa and praised what he’ll deliver to the membership:
“He’s going to coach with us at the moment (Friday), however there’s a larger probability that he’s not within the squad than he’s.
“I don’t count on him to be in, however I can’t assure this.”
“Top-of-the-line issues about working right here, what I’ve seen to this point, is the tradition of this crew, they work actually laborious to attain their objectives.
“It’s then actually essential the primary participant you herald has that very same angle and brings the identical tradition.
“He works actually laborious on and off the pitch to attempt to get the perfect of himself, and he combines this with scoring objectives and actually aggressive with out the ball.”
7. Iffy Previous Trafford report
Many Liverpool followers dread journeys to Previous Trafford, and in equity, they’ve each proper to.
There have been sporadic memorable wins alongside the way in which, not least a 5-0 triumph in 2021/22, however far too typically, the Reds fail to indicate up.
Liverpool have solely received seven occasions at Previous Trafford in 32 years of Premier League soccer, with none of these coming within the Nineteen Nineties.
The house crowd will likely be baying for blood this weekend, however the Reds should handle the scenario higher than they’ve so typically prior to now.
Whether or not there’s a psychological block at Previous Trafford is up for debate, however these gamers had been all concerned within the calamities final season and want to supply a response.
8. Did You Know?
Mohamed Salah seems to be again to his greatest after three purpose contributions in two league video games this season, and he loves enjoying United.
The 32-year-old has had a hand in 18 objectives in his final 11 matches in opposition to the Reds’ largest rivals, with 14 objectives and 4 assists coming his means.
Salah has additionally scored in his final 4 visits to Previous Trafford, highlighting his big-game mentality – let’s hope for a similar once more on Sunday!
His tussle with Diogo Dalot will likely be a key battle.
9. Manchester’s Taylor takes cost
Manchester-born Anthony Taylor has been named as Sunday’s referee, which all feels relatively predictable.
On the plus facet, he did take cost of Liverpool’s respective 4-2 and 5-0 wins at United in 2020/21 and 2021/22.
In reality, Taylor has refereed Liverpool extra occasions than some other membership (60), adopted by Chelsea (51), Arsenal (50), Everton and Man United (each 47).
Gary Beswick and Andy Nunn are the 45-year-old’s assistant referees on Sunday, Sam Barrott is fourth official and John Brooks is on VAR, assisted by Harry Lennard.
10. Comply with the match with TIA
Man United vs. Liverpool is stay on Sky Sports activities Principal Occasion from 3.30pm (BST), with kickoff at 4pm.
Harry McMullen is on This Is Anfield stay weblog responsibility from 3.15pm, seeking to information you thru a uncommon convincing win at Previous Trafford.
Come on you Reds! Allow us to a minimum of ‘get pleasure from’ the worldwide break, please.
