Focus Fixture: Can Manchester United turn around their form at Anfield

Liverpool are top of the league and firing as they prepare to take on their great rivals. Klopp’s side are expected to pile on the misery for Manchester United and it’s easy to see why. Erik Ten Hag’s side have been poor this season and the signs are ominous ahead of their trip to Anfield.

The Form

Liverpool edged past Crystal Palace in their last league match. The Eagles took the lead but were reduced to 10 men and that allowed Klopp’s side to snatch a late victory.  The Reds have been resilient on the road this season and have got the job done on numerous occasions. However, their performances at home have been fantastic.

The league leaders have won all 11 of their matches at Anfield in all competitions.  They are averaging 3.18 goals per game in these matches and have the firepower to put Manchester United to the sword here.

Klopp’s side beat Manchester United 7-0 in this fixture last season and we could see another resounding scoreline here. Strangely, Manchester United played well for 40 minutes in that game and should have been in the lead. Erik Ten Hag’s side capitulated after Liverpool broke the deadlock and that mental softness remains a hallmark of this United side.

Manchester United also look far worse than they were last season. They have faltered since the start of this campaign and the performances have been nothing short of woeful. Alarm bells were ringing in their first match of the season. They secured a 1-0 win over Wolves but they allowed their opponents to have a wealth of chances and we were fortunate to come away with three points.

This is a trend that has continued throughout the season and it has seen United exit the Champions League at the group stage and nobody fancies them to finish in the top four. Erik Ten Hag has persisted with a team shape that leaves his midfield hopelessly overrun and his side are conceding plenty of chances as a result. United are conceding an average of 14.81 shots per Premier League game this season; the 4th most in the division. This rises to 17.43 in away matches and they have faced many of the sides who are struggling in the league.

The lacklustre defending has translated to poor results. United were beaten 3-0 at Old Trafford by Bournemouth last weekend and the loss was just what they deserved. They have already lost 12 matches in all competitions this season and it is difficult to envisage anything other than defeat here.

The Red Devils’ attack has also looked toothless. They’ve failed to score in three of their last four matches in all competitions and it’s not down to missing a wealth of chances. Manchester United rank in the bottom half of the league in terms of xG. 

They are facing a Liverpool side that has scored in every game this season and Klopp’s men will be licking their lips at the prospect of facing this Manchester United defence.

The Runners and the Riders

Jurgen Klopp confirmed that Alexis MacAllister will be out for this weekend. Thiago and Diogo Jota are also missing but Liverpool have plenty of options to call upon.

Manchester United have been ravaged by injuries since the start of the season and it has undoubtedly had an impact on performance. Harry Maguire and Luke shaw have joined the injury list this week but there is hope that the latter could play. Mason Mount, Casemiro and Christian Eriksen are unavailable in midfield. Lisandro Martinez and Tyrell Malacia also remain sidelined. A further blow is the suspension picked up by Bruno Fernandes and Ten Hag may have 13 players ruled out of this one.

What They Said

Jurgen Klopp said: “And if it helps anybody for the next game, it’s the team who lost 7-0 and not the team who won 7-0, that’s another thing. If you take it all out of consideration then we just play a football game against the rival, the historical rival, of Liverpool FC, at home at Anfield.”

Erik ten Hag said: “I'm focussing on the process, making the team better and that's my concern. That's what I'm focussing on, the right thing, and that's the team. There is no concern because I'm here to win and I have to make the team play better. Good is not good enough, we are inconsistent and I have to work on how the team will play."

Bet Builder Tip

I’m backing Liverpool to be winning at half-time and full-time but we are also adding over 3.5 goals in the match to get odds of 2.60.

Liverpool have had the lead at the break in United’s last two visits to this ground. They have been ahead at half-time in seven of their 11 home matches this season. They are also taking on a United side that are struggling to find the net themselves so they are unlikely to commit bodies forward in the early stages and take a shock lead.

Klopp’s side have scored three goals or more in six of their seven Premier League matches at this ground. Their last win at Anfield was a 4-3 thriller against Fulham and they are capable of reaching the four-goal mark on their own here. This bet builder has won in Manchester United’s last two visits to this ground.

Erik Ten Hag’s side could contribute to the goal count here as they chase the game. They lack structure and creativity in the midfield and the disjointed team shape often means the strikers are starved of chances. However, they have the pace to get in behind Liverpool’s high line so we may see a consolation goal at some stage.

United’s away matches in all competitions this season are averaging 3.5 goals per game. They have not beaten any of the Premier League’s top nine on the road under Erik Ten Hag and that’s unlikely to start at Anfield.

Recommended Bet

Half-time/full-time – Liverpool & over 3.5 goals in the match at 2.60