Liverpool showed signs of their potential last season after Jurgen Klopp was appointed their new manager, but with a full pre-season under his belt they now look ready to push on and improve significantly this season.
They kicked off the season with a bang as they beat Arsenal 4-3 at the Emirates, but a shocking 2-0 loss to Burnley showed that there are still cracks to be sealed. Since then they haven’t looked back though, winning six of their last seven in all competitions.
This includes an impressive 4-1 thrashing of Premier League champions Leicester and a 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge. Liverpool have scored a very impressive 26 goals in their nine competitive games this season, including five 3+ goal hauls. They have only conceded eight at the other end as well, so it certainly looks like Klopp’s magic is taking hold of Anfield.
Manchester United have shown signs of their quality as well though. They won their opening four competitive matches fairly convincingly against Leicester, Bournemouth, Southampton, and Hull before suffering a shock trio of defeats.
In fairness to them they did bounce back with three straight wins, but their 1-1 draw at home to the awfully out of form Stoke before the international break was a very poor result and shows that Jose Mourinho still has a long way to take this Manchester United side.
Beating an in form Liverpool side at Anfield could well be a step too far for Manchester United at the moment. The hosts have won both of their home games this season and scored a huge nine goals in the process, whilst Manchester United have already lost twice on the road. The visitors also showed they could struggle in the high pressure situations with their deserved defeat at home to Manchester City.
Roberto Firmino is in fine goal scoring form with three goals in his last four games for the reds and he scored again in Brazil’s 5-0 win over Bolivia, he’s 7/4 to score anytime with bet365. Another Brazilian in goal scoring form is Philippe Coutinho who has scored 3 goals in his last five games for club and country, he’s also 7/4 to score anytime with bet365. The distance travelled for during World Cup qualifiers may be a slight concern but they do get an extra days rest playing on Monday Night Football.
This all adds up in Liverpool’s favour, and considering the form they are in I think they have an excellent chance of getting the bragging rights in this fiercely contested derby. Odds of 11/10 for Liverpool to get the win are very good value considering they have already beaten Arsenal, Chelsea, and Leicester this season, so I’m backing that along with a 3-1 correct score prediction at 16/1.
Head-to-head
A defeat for Liverpool will be the first time they have lost three straight home league games to Manchester United since January 2005.
United have won their last four league games against Liverpool and seven of the last nine.
That run of four defeats for Liverpool is their worst since losing five consecutive matches to United in March 2008.
Liverpool have lost 67 league matches against Manchester United - more than against any other opponent.
There hasn't been a draw between the two sides domestically since a 1-1 league stalemate at Anfield in October 2011.
Steven Gerrard, with eight goals, is the top scorer in this fixture in the Premier League era. Wayne Rooney and Robbie Fowler both have six.
Liverpool
Liverpool are going for a fifth league win on the trot which would be their best run since March 2015.
Since Jurgen Klopp was appointed as Liverpool manager in October 2015 they have scored a league high 73 goals and have the highest average possession figure of 58.8%.
The Reds have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last nine league games.
Klopp has lost just one of his five meetings with Jose Mourinho, winning three and drawing one.
James Milner has been involved in 21 Premier League goals since the start of last season - nine goals and 12 assists - more than any other Liverpool player.
Manchester United
Jose Mourinho's men have won only once in their last four league games, conceding seven goals.
Wayne Rooney currently has 87 Premier League away goals, the joint-most in the competition alongside Alan Shearer.
Manchester United had three points more at this stage last season under Louis Van Gaal (16).
Marcus Rashford has scored 12 goals since his debut for Manchester United on 25 February 2016, four more than any other United player.
Stats
Liverpool have won 78% of their competitive games this season, including 100% of their home matches.
