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Liverpool travel to Old Trafford on Sunday to face Manchester United, knowing that victory would lift the Reds into third place in the Premier League table.
These two titans of English football have shared 40 league titles between them, yet they have rarely challenged for the crown simultaneously. It remains one of the game’s most distinctive rivalries, where power has historically shifted from one giant to the other across long eras, often spanning decades.
The stakes are especially high this weekend, as a win for either side would secure Champions League qualification, even though both clubs are strongly placed to reach Europe’s premier competition regardless of the outcome.
Read our Manchester United vs Liverpool prediction, preview and betting tips. You can also check out our Today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Contents
Manchester United vs Liverpool key stats
- Manchester United have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last five meetings against Liverpool.
- Five of the last six meetings between the two sides has produced over 10.5 corners.
- Five of the last seven meetings between them has produced over 4.5 cards.
Manchester United vs Liverpool preview: Battle for the 3rd spot
| Manchester United | vs | Liverpool |
|---|---|---|
| 3rd | Position | 4th |
| 61 | Points | 58 |
| 60 | Goals For | 57 |
| 46 | Goals Against | 44 |
| 6 | Clean Sheets | 10 |
| 3rd | Home Rank | 5th |
| 4th | Away Rank | 6th |
When Ruben Amorim was sacked by Man Utd, it looked like the club had been heading in the wrong direction again, and they were way off the levels they should be reaching after spending big on new players last summer.
Under Michael Carrick, the interim boss, the Red Devils found a new sense of belief, and the results quickly improved. Since mid-January, they lost only twice in their last 13 matches, and the league table only reflects how impressive they have been under Carrick.
After suffering a 2-1 loss against Leeds United, the Red Devils bounced back to winning ways with back-to-back victories against Chelsea and Brentford, and should be in full confidence for this fixture.
Man Utd have won just three of their last 19 Premier League matches against Liverpool.
There is also an incentive of making a league double over their rivals, after Man Utd won 2-1 at Anfield in the reverse fixture. Matthijs de Ligt (back) and Lisandro Martinez (suspended) are both missing, but Matheus Cunha and Luke Shaw should be able to take part in the game.
It has been an underwhelming campaign for Liverpool, especially after lifting the Premier League title last season. The Reds were eliminated by Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League quarter-finals, and securing a top-four finish is now viewed as the minimum acceptable outcome.
There has been visible frustration among sections of the support regarding how Arne Slot’s side have performed this season, but the Liverpool hierarchy are still expected to back the Dutchman strongly in the summer market, believing he remains the right man to lead the next phase.
Liverpool have won three of their last five away games against Man Utd.
Liverpool have suffered 10 Premier League defeats this term, though recent form has offered encouragement after consecutive victories over Everton and Crystal Palace.
Mohamed Salah, long regarded as a tormentor of Manchester United, is injured and will play no part in this fixture, while Conor Bradley and Hugo Ekitike are ruled out for the rest of the season.
Giorgi Mamardashvili is also sidelined with a knee injury, but Alisson Becker and Wataru Endo have returned to training, with the Brazilian goalkeeper potentially in line to start at Old Trafford.
Manchester United vs Liverpool form guide & betting tips
| Manchester United | vs | Liverpool |
|---|---|---|
| W-D-L-W-W | League Form | D-L-W-W-W |
| 10 | Points | 10 |
| 6th | Form Table | 5th |
| 9 | Goals For | 9 |
| 6 | Goals Against | 5 |
| W-D-L-W-W | Form (all comps) | L-W-L-W-W |
Whispers Predicts: Manchester United 2-2 Liverpool
Six of Manchester United’s last seven matches have produced over two goals, while the last five meetings between the Red Devils and Liverpool have also delivered plenty of entertainment, which makes Over 2.5 goals at 1.5 look an appealing option.
Both teams have found the net in four of the last five encounters between these rivals, and BTTS - Yes at 1.45 still offers reasonable value despite the shorter price.
The Red Devils have scored the opening goal in four of their last five matches, and they are backed at 1.85 to strike first again against Liverpool.
> Match result: Draw at 3.6 | Likelihood: Probable
> Over 2.5 goals at 1.5 | Likelihood: Probable
> BTTS - Yes at 1.45 | Likelihood: Possible
> Man Utd to score first at 1.85 | Likelihood: Possible