Liverpool vs. Manchester United Preview: Can Amorim’s Reds avoid a fifth straight defeat?
Liverpool’s relentless surge at the Premier League summit shows few signs of slowing down as they begin 2025 in the same commanding fashion they ended 2024. By smashing five unanswered goals past West Ham United on December 29, Arne Slot’s side extended their monumental unbeaten streak to 23 matches in all competitions. Since their only slip against Nottingham Forest in mid-September, the Reds have tightened their grip atop the league, boasting a six-point cushion over Arsenal with a game in hand.
Their attacking firepower remains a force to be reckoned with, having scored at least twice in each of their previous 11 Premier League outings. Slot’s men also snapped a brief run of defensive lapses on the road by shutting out West Ham—proof that any holiday-season hiccups in their backline might have been fleeting. Their imperious home form has likewise propelled them above Brentford as the best home-performing side in the division.
Liverpool continue to dominate our European Power Ranking for the month of December!
— 365Scores (@365Scores) January 2, 2025
Do you agree with this list? pic.twitter.com/WpF3xzwUk8
Meanwhile, Manchester United continue to wrestle with their worst run of form in decades, having slumped to four consecutive defeats—three at Old Trafford. Newcastle United were the latest to expose the Red Devils’ vulnerabilities, plundering two early headers and forcing the early withdrawal of the hapless Joshua Zirkzee. While marginal improvements followed, it was far too little and far too late, leaving United in an alarming 14th place, only seven points above the relegation zone. With December’s tally of six losses matching a low not seen in nearly a century, talk of a disastrous second half to the season has grown increasingly difficult to dismiss.
A steady stream of unwanted club records has mounted under both Erik ten Hag and his short-lived successor Ruben Amorim—this proud institution, famed for decades of domestic dominance, has now lost three successive home league games for the first time since 1979. They also risk a fourth consecutive defeat without scoring, which would be their longest such drought in a staggering 116 years.
For Liverpool, Sunday’s showdown offers a chance to tighten their grip on first place and continue what has been a near-flawless campaign. For Manchester United, it’s a pivotal opportunity to halt their plunge and reclaim some semblance of morale against their fiercest rivals. After all, Liverpool have only beaten Man United once in their last four meetings—proof that, despite the chasm in form, the Red Devils could still pose a serious threat on a day when pride is paramount.
Liverpool vs. United Guide
Team News
Liverpool
Liverpool’s comprehensive victory at the London Stadium did come with one notable blemish: a hamstring injury to Joe Gomez, who faces a few weeks on the sidelines. Slot revealed that Ibrahima Konate (knee) and Conor Bradley (thigh) have returned to full training, although they will only have had a couple of sessions under their belts since shaking off their respective layoffs. With caution likely the watchword, Jarell Quansah could be preferred alongside Virgil van Dijk unless Konate demonstrates immediate match readiness.
The Reds can also welcome back Dominik Szoboszlai from suspension, offering yet another dimension to the midfield engine room. However, Curtis Jones—who laid on Mohamed Salah’s 17th league goal of the season against West Ham—will feel he has earned the right to keep his place. And with Salah in scintillating form, ably supported by a rejuvenated attacking cast, there will be little desire at Anfield to tinker unnecessarily with a winning formula.
Manchester United
Ruben Amorim can at least breathe easier with the returns of Manuel Ugarte and Bruno Fernandes, both of whom served suspensions during the chastening defeat to Newcastle. Their presence in the middle of the park could be vital in shutting down Liverpool’s fluid passing lanes. Another rare bright spot was the cameo of Kobbie Mainoo, who injected some much-needed spark after coming on for Joshua Zirkzee—a forward whose early withdrawal epitomized United’s recent struggles.
Elsewhere, Marcus Rashford made his return to the matchday squad in midweek but remains a question mark for the starting XI, given the well-documented off-field issues clouding his future. Mason Mount (thigh), Victor Lindelof (unspecified), and Luke Shaw (calf) will miss out once again, leaving the Red Devils short of options in key areas. Having experimented heavily with team selection so far—and watched the side tumble toward an unthinkable relegation battle—Amorim may now lean on familiar, reliable faces as he attempts to restore confidence in a crisis-ridden camp.
Key Players
Liverpool – Mohamed Salah
The Egyptian King is in the form of his life, already on 17 goals and 13 assists in the Premier League this season. His penchant for rising to the occasion against Manchester United is legendary—he has contributed to more goals in this rivalry than any other player in Premier League history. Expect Salah to spearhead Liverpool’s press and punish any lapses in a vulnerable United backline.
Mohamed Salah has now been directly involved in more Premier League goals for Liverpool than Thierry Henry was for Arsenal 🔥 pic.twitter.com/EWyUvyS9H1
— 365Scores (@365Scores) December 27, 2024
Manchester United – Manuel Ugarte
Having served his suspension, the Uruguayan enforcer returns with a chance to stabilize a faltering United midfield. Ugarte’s combativeness, positional intelligence, and ball-winning prowess could be vital in stifling Liverpool’s high-flying attack. If he can keep possession ticking and disrupt the Reds’ fluidity, United might just stand a chance of ending their wretched run.
🚨Official News🚨
— 365Scores (@365Scores) August 30, 2024
Manchester United confirm the signing of Manuel Ugarte from PSG 🔥 pic.twitter.com/BGEmWATQNi
Key Statistics:
- Liverpool’s only defeat in their last 13 Premier League games against Manchester United (W7, D5) was a 2-1 loss at Old Trafford in August 2022.
- Man Utd’s run of eight away league games without a victory at Liverpool (D4, L4) is their longest since a sequence of nine matches from 1970 to 1979.
- The Red Devils have scored just once in their last eight top-flight away fixtures against Liverpool, failing to register a single goal in their past five visits to Anfield.
- Slot’s record as Liverpool manager reads just one defeat in 27 matches (W23, D3), part of an overall 2024 coaching tally of 52 games, 42 wins, nine draws, and one loss.
- Mohamed Salah has scored and assisted in eight different Premier League games this season – his highest single-season mark ever.
- Salah’s 17 goals and 13 assists in just 18 league games mark the fewest appearances required for a player to reach 30 goal involvements in a Premier League campaign.
By Nicky Helfgott – NickyHelfgott1 on X (Twitter)
Keep up with all the latest football news and Premier League news on 365Scores!
