{"id":8073,"date":"2025-01-05T07:07:42","date_gmt":"2025-01-05T07:07:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/?p=8073"},"modified":"2025-01-05T07:07:44","modified_gmt":"2025-01-05T07:07:44","slug":"liverpool-vs-manchester-united-preview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wordpress.365scores.com\/news\/liverpool-vs-manchester-united-preview","title":{"rendered":"Liverpool vs. Manchester United Preview: Can Amorim&#8217;s Reds avoid a fifth straight defeat?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/team\/liverpool-108\">Liverpool\u2019s<\/a> relentless surge at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/league\/premier-league-7\">Premier League<\/a> 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 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/team\/west-ham-113\">West Ham United<\/a> on December 29, Arne Slot\u2019s side extended their monumental unbeaten streak to 23 matches in all competitions. Since their only slip against <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/team\/nottingham-forest-29\">Nottingham Forest<\/a> in mid-September, the Reds have tightened their grip atop the league, boasting a six-point cushion over Arsenal with a game in hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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\u2019s men also snapped a brief run of defensive lapses on the road by shutting out West Ham\u2014proof 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\r\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Liverpool continue to dominate our European Power Ranking for the month of December!<br \/><br \/>Do you agree with this list? <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/WpF3xzwUk8\">pic.twitter.com\/WpF3xzwUk8<\/a><\/p>\r\n\u2014 365Scores (@365Scores) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/365Scores\/status\/1874813245380558912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">January 2, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote>\r\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Meanwhile, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/team\/manchester-united-105\">Manchester United<\/a> continue to wrestle with their worst run of form in decades, having slumped to four consecutive defeats\u2014three at Old Trafford. Newcastle United were the latest to expose the Red Devils\u2019 vulnerabilities, plundering two early headers and forcing the early withdrawal of the hapless <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/player\/joshua-zirkzee-60050\">Joshua Zirkzee<\/a>. 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A steady stream of unwanted club records has mounted under both Erik ten Hag and his short-lived successor Ruben Amorim\u2014this 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For Liverpool, Sunday\u2019s showdown offers a chance to tighten their grip on first place and continue what has been a near-flawless campaign. For Manchester United, it\u2019s 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\u2014proof that, despite the chasm in form, the Red Devils could still pose a serious threat on a day when pride is paramount.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><h2>Liverpool vs. United Guide<\/h2><nav><ul><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#team-news\">Team News<\/a><ul><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#liverpool\">Liverpool<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#manchester-united\">Manchester United<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#key-players\">Key Players<\/a><ul><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#liverpool-mohamed-salah\">Liverpool &#8211; Mohamed Salah<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#manchester-united-manuel-ugarte\">Manchester United &#8211; Manuel Ugarte<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#key-statistics\">Key Statistics:<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"team-news\">Team News<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"liverpool\">Liverpool<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Liverpool\u2019s 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 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/player\/virgil-van-dijk-9104\">Virgil van Dijk<\/a> unless Konate demonstrates immediate match readiness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Reds can also welcome back Dominik Szoboszlai from suspension, offering yet another dimension to the midfield engine room. However, Curtis Jones\u2014who laid on Mohamed Salah\u2019s 17th league goal of the season against West Ham\u2014will 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.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/GettyImages-2183905073-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 09: Arne Slot, Manager of Liverpool, acknowledges the fans following the team's victory during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Aston Villa FC at Anfield on November 09, 2024 in Liverpool, England. \" class=\"wp-image-7970\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(Photo by Carl Recine\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"manchester-united\">Manchester United<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Ruben Amorim can at least breathe easier with the returns of Manuel Ugarte and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/player\/bruno-fernandes-6262\">Bruno Fernandes<\/a>, 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\u2019s 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\u2014a forward whose early withdrawal epitomized United\u2019s recent struggles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Elsewhere, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/player\/marcus-rashford-39803\">Marcus Rashford<\/a> 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\u2014and watched the side tumble toward an unthinkable relegation battle\u2014Amorim may now lean on familiar, reliable faces as he attempts to restore confidence in a crisis-ridden camp.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/GettyImages-2172694216-819x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Liverpool vs United: Rashford has had it rough recently\" class=\"wp-image-7683\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(Photo by Ash Donelon\/Manchester United via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"key-players\">Key Players<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"liverpool-mohamed-salah\">Liverpool &#8211; Mohamed Salah<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>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\u2014he has contributed to more goals in this rivalry than any other player in Premier League history. Expect <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/player\/mohamed-salah-1439\">Salah<\/a> to spearhead Liverpool\u2019s press and punish any lapses in a vulnerable United backline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\r\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Mohamed Salah has now been directly involved in more Premier League goals for Liverpool than Thierry Henry was for Arsenal ? <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/EWyUvyS9H1\">pic.twitter.com\/EWyUvyS9H1<\/a><\/p>\r\n\u2014 365Scores (@365Scores) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/365Scores\/status\/1872702761781084226?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 27, 2024<\/a><\/blockquote>\r\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"manchester-united-manuel-ugarte\">Manchester United &#8211; Manuel Ugarte<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Having served his suspension, the Uruguayan enforcer returns with a chance to stabilize a faltering United midfield. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/player\/manuel-ugarte-56838\">Ugarte\u2019s<\/a> combativeness, positional intelligence, and ball-winning prowess could be vital in stifling Liverpool\u2019s high-flying attack. If he can keep possession ticking and disrupt the Reds\u2019 fluidity, United might just stand a chance of ending their wretched run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\r\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">?Official News?<br \/><br \/>Manchester United confirm the signing of Manuel Ugarte from PSG ? <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/BGEmWATQNi\">pic.twitter.com\/BGEmWATQNi<\/a><\/p>\r\n\u2014 365Scores (@365Scores) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/365Scores\/status\/1829614808079220752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">August 30, 2024<\/a><\/blockquote>\r\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"key-statistics\">Key Statistics:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Liverpool\u2019s 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.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Man Utd\u2019s 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.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>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.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Slot\u2019s 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.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mohamed Salah has scored and assisted in eight different Premier League games this season &#8211; his highest single-season mark ever.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Salah\u2019s 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.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><em>By Nicky Helfgott &#8211; <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/NickyHelfgott1\"><em>NickyHelfgott1 on X (Twitter<\/em>)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Keep up with all the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\">latest football news<\/a> and<a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/league\/premier-league-7\/news\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/league\/premier-league-7\/news\"> Premier League news<\/a> on 365Scores!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Liverpool\u2019s 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\u2019s side extended their monumental unbeaten streak to 23 matches in all competitions. Since their only &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":29,"featured_media":8074,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2338,9],"tags":[2593,320,281,308,3036,3037,1820,3038,3039,2297,2148,2069,2716,2788,589,2714,719,20,2721,2248],"class_list":["post-8073","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-premier-league","category-soccer","tag-alisson-becker","tag-bruno-fernandes","tag-casemiro","tag-cody-gakpo","tag-curtis-jones","tag-diogo-jota","tag-dominik-szoboszlai","tag-ibrahima-konate","tag-jarell-quansah","tag-joe-gomez","tag-kobbie-mainoo","tag-luis-diaz","tag-luke-shaw","tag-manuel-ugarte","tag-marcus-rashford","tag-mason-mount","tag-mohamed-salah","tag-trent-alexander-arnold","tag-victor-lindelof","tag-virgil-van-dijk"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8073","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/29"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8073"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8073\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8074"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8073"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8073"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8073"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}