Manchester United host arch-rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford in what promises to be an absolute blockbuster. Join The Roar from 3am (AEDT) Monday for all the action.
Entering into this clash, United are arguably the most in-form side in the league during the past few weeks. A victory over Liverpool will cut the deficit to just two points between them, after just over a month ago it all seemed to be going pear-shaped for Jose Mourinho as they trailed ten points behind their rivals.
However, Liverpool sit in second place going into the round and are just five points behind leaders Chelsea. A win against United would be a massive boost for Jurgen Klopp’s men, who have failed to win in their last three matches.
United’s 2-0 midweek victory over Hull City in the semi-final first leg of the EFL Cup holds them in good stead for their meeting with Liverpool, while it also pushed their record to nine victories out of their last nine games. The last time they dropped any points was away to Everton at the beginning of December.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is now back amongst the goals after a concerning dry spell earlier in the season. The Swede certainly seems back to his confident self as well, after he declared that he has already “conquered” England in his first season.
For Liverpool, the goals have dried up slightly with the Merseyside outfit having failed to score in their last two games. That will be a concern for Klopp after his side were previously in devastating form in front of goal.
They are still the league’s highest scorers by some margin, but with the loss of Sadio Mane to the African Cup of Nations, the German manager will have to tweak his team and system in order to get them back to their free-flowing best.
Meanwhile, United’s Eric Bailly is also away at the tournament and it’s likely his absence will be felt. The Reds’ record away at Old Trafford makes for grim reading though. There has been the odd memorable victory, like 2009’s 4-1 demolition job, but apart from that it is a ground where they have consistently been beaten over the years. As so often is the case in the North West derby, home ground advantage is essential.
The last time the two sides met was back in October last year at Anfield. On that night the sides’ fortunes were very different, as United entered into it against a Liverpool who were flying high, while Mourinho’s men were struggling considerably.
The Portuguese manager set up his team to prevent Klopp’s men from playing their usual game, and the tactic worked as they left Anfield with a dull 0-0 draw.
It will be a massive surprise if Mourinho adopts the same kind of tactics at home and with his big game players like Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba now in form. That means that it could be a frantic derby, with both teams looking to attack one another. Whatever the result, the game looks set to be completely different to their last encounter.
Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson is in doubt for the clash after he picked up a heel injury during their win over Manchester City on New Year’s Eve. The captain has been badly missed in the meantime, with his work in the centre of the pitch not able to have been replicated by the likes of Emre Can or Lucas Leiva.
However, the good news for Reds fans is the likely return of Philippe Coutinho. The Brazilian made his return off the bench in Liverpool’s defeat to Southampton on Wednesday, and could be set to start for the first time since November.
Wayne Rooney looks like he will have to settle for a place on the bench after he featured in both of United’s most recent cup victories.
The United man needs just one more goal to break the all-time goal scoring record for the club, which would be an incredible achievement. For a boyhood Evertonian, the chance to do so against Liverpool will act as even more incentive to do so on Sunday.
Mark Molyneux
Roar Guru
What a game! It finishes all square as Ibra's late header wins a point for United after Milner earlier converted a penalty. Liverpool now sit in third position, while United remain in sixth. A point wasn't really any good for either side, but that's what they'll have to settle for after an exhilarating encounter that swung from end to end finished 1-1. Both sides had chances to win it late on, with Wijnaldum perhaps having the best opportunity. He found space inside the box and had only De Gea to beat but his shot was weak and Old Trafford breathed a sigh of relief. United's best chances all came in the first half, and they will be left to rue the one-on-one's they had where they failed to beat an impressive Mignolet. Manchester United 1-1 Liverpool
Mark Molyneux
Roar Guru
FT: United 1-1 Liverpool
Mark Molyneux
Roar Guru
Chance! Wijnaldum is put through on goal but shoots right at De Gea!
Mark Molyneux
Roar Guru
92: Dreadful from Herrera as he clings onto Firmino's shirt just as he was breaking away. He then goes down clutching his face as if he was hit- he gets a yellow. As does Firmino. Not long left now United 1-1 Liverpool
Mark Molyneux
Roar Guru
89: Ibra is flagged offside just as the ball broke to him and he was free to gallop into the box. There'll be four minutes added on here as both sides are looking for a winner
Mark Molyneux
Roar Guru
87:Liverpool break away and get a corner from a blocked Wijnaldum shot. Milner whips it in but United clear.
Mark Molyneux
Roar Guru
Goal! Ibrahimovic nods home from a few yards out and United have drawn level. United 1-1 Liverpool
Mark Molyneux
Roar Guru
Chance! The ball is whipped in and Rooney volleys from eight yards out. He is flagged offside and Liverpool get away with one. United 0-1 Liverpool
Mark Molyneux
Roar Guru
80: Coutinho is brought down on the half way line and clutches at his knee. He's fine and gets fouled again just for good measure- this time its closer to United's box.
Mark Molyneux
Roar Guru
77: Looking for a goal? Why not bring on Fellaini. Mourinho brings him on for Darmian and United look like they're going to go route one here as we enter into the final ten minutes or so.
Mark Molyneux
Roar Guru
75: Chance! Pogba is caught in possession and Firmino breaks away. Can then whips in a great ball to a late arriving Wijnaldum. He blazes his header over the bar
Mark Molyneux
Roar Guru
73: Rooney was lucky to escape a booking for that tackle on second look. After a few minutes stoppage the game is back underway and Milner is going to continue.
Mark Molyneux
Roar Guru
70: Mata attempts to angle one over the top to Ibra but Mignolet comes out and claims it easily. Rooney flies in and catches Milner high on the foot. The Englishman is writhing on the floor, and Rooney looks a little apologetic. United 0-1 Liverpool
Mark Molyneux
Roar Guru
66: Coutinho has got spiders on him as he dribbles around five or so United players. His ball bounces to Lallana who swings a boot at it. De Gea makes the save though.
Mark Molyneux
Roar Guru
65: Ibra is free in the box and flashes a ball across, but it misses everyone. Speaking of missing, Rooney tries his luck from the edge of the box and gets its wrong. Sub: Martial goes off for Juan Mata
Mark Molyneux
Roar Guru
Chance! Countinho's first touch is brilliant as he brings it down, then shapes to shoot before slipping in Firmino. His fellow Brazilian shoots from a tight angle but De Gea gets down well to stop it. United 0-1 Liverpool
Mark Molyneux
Roar Guru
60: Liverpool can't get out of their own half though as United are beginning to have a really good spell. They are moving it around well and trying to craft an opening, while the Reds are camped in their own half. Sub: Coutinho is coming on for Origi- that probably means Firmino will now be the lone man up front
Mark Molyneux
Roar Guru
58: Liverpool are pressing well when the ball is around United's box, But when it comes into their own half the Reds are dropping off considerably, allowing United to come onto them. Klopp's men are looking to hit on the break here.
Mark Molyneux
Roar Guru
54: Lallana nearly sells Mignolet short with a back pass, but once again the Belgian is on hand to clear up. He has been excellent so far this evening. Chance! Mkhitaryan is through into the box after Martial had won back the ball in a dangerous position. He drives a ball across goal but it dribbles agonisingly past the onrushing Martial.
Mark Molyneux
Roar Guru
52: Rooney drives in a good ball but there is no one on hand to turn it in. Then, Oirgi gives away a free kick but Ibra just cant get to it and Liverpool clear their lines for the time being. United 0-1 Liverpool