Premier League: United vs Pool Spells Monday Mayhem!

Manchester United vs Liverpool

Premier League: Manchester United vs Liverpool is one of the biggest matches on the planet, with millions watching worldwide, but only a 35 mile stretch of the East Lancs Road separates these two proud cities… and the rivalry is off the scale.

My SBOTOP colleague, James, is an ardent Red Devils fans and he would simply love it if his team turned up on Monday to give Liverpool a shock. And there is something of a revenge mission to be had too, as last season Jurgen Klopp’s side handed out two thrashings to the Red Devils; 4-0 at Anfield and 5-0 at Old Trafford.

Referee Michael Oliver’s task is to keep a lid on the tension on the pitch as the atmosphere in the stadium will be white hot. The Manchester United vs Liverpool updates will be flying around the world from the moment Oliver blows his whistle and I’m expecting an action packed game with plenty of goals.

Liverpool will be going for the win, and another big one, as they already have ground to make up on the leaders having played out two draws.

For the hosts it’s all about pride.

United are one of three teams in the top flight yet to win a point, alongside West Ham United and Everton, and both of the other strugglers have home games which should yield a point or three this weekend, against Brighton and Nottingham Forest.

There is a whole lot at stake in this clash and it won’t be one for the feint hearted.

Talking Points

Liverpool can exploit United’s Midfield hole

Manchester United head coach Erik Ten Hag has made no secret of his opinion that his team doesn’t have a player capable of patrolling the middle of the park, just in front of his defence. Scott McTominay and Fred have been used in this role and while the Brazilian has showed signs he can play some part, McTominay has picked up two yellow cards already and all too often looks out of his depth.

Having tracked Frenkie de Jong all summer it looks like Manchester United may be getting close to signing another holding midfielder, Real Madrid’s Casemiro. The 30 year old Brazilian may struggle for game time at the Bernabeu and reports in Manchester suggest he is due to arrive for a medical once personal terms have been agreed.

United will have to shell out around 70m to sign Casemiro, it’s another expensive gamble, but United’s transfer window has been a mess so far and the arrival of a proven winner at club level may do something to appease the fans.

But Casemiro isn’t yet a Red Devils and Liverpool have the opportunity to dominate the midfield on Monday and create plenty of chances. Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson is a commanding figure between the boxes and his creative colleagues can pick holes in the hosts’ defence.

And the pressure at Old Trafford is mounting.

A 2-1 defeat at home to Brighton in the season opener was bad enough, but the Red Devils were humiliated last week as Brentford slapped them down with a 4-0 win.

Things have to start improving quickly.

Darwin disaster for Pool

It’s been a peculiar start to the 2022/23 campaign for Liverpool and particularly the Reds’ expensive summer recruit Darwin Nunez. The Uruguayan hitman climbed off the bench to score a goal on his league debut in a 2-2 with Fulham. After that result a 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace was hardly the response Liverpool wanted; but it could have been worse.

At 1-0 down and mid way through the second half Nunez head butted Joachim Anderson and was sent off. But a brilliant goal from Luis Diaz saved Liverpool’s blushes.

Striker Roberto Firminho is fit and read to replace Nunez who starts a three match ban on Monday.

History

Manchester United have had the better of the head to head meetings with Liverpool in the Premier League era, winning 32 to 23 and there have been 14 draws.

But last season was a nightmare for the Red Devils as they suffered a 9-0 aggregate walloping at the hands of the Merseysiders. When the two teams met in a pre-season friendly, United finished on the right side of the game with a morale boosting 4-0 victory against a scratch Liverpool side.

Betting Tip

The pre-match Manchester United vs Liverpool betting odds strongly back an away win at a price of 1.59, while the Red Devils can be backed at 4.36 to win and 4.16 to draw, long prices for a home game.

I’m backing goals, as each of the last five meetings between these two juggernauts Liverpool have yielded at least four. And, I’m sorry James, but I fear most of them will end up in the Red Devils’ net!

 

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