It is Manchester United v Liverpool on Sunday in Premier League action with Jurgen Klopp’s side making the travels to Old Trafford in what is a must-win game for the Reds to keep their top-four hopes alive.
Two draws on the run have left Liverpool in danger of missing out on the top-four zone and with the season nearing its end in May, Klopp’s men have all to play for in what remains of their miserable title-defence campaign.
The Merseysiders were last seen in action on their own patch of Anfield against Newcastle United in a game which looked certain to go Liverpool’s way only for Arsenal loanee Joe Willock to slot in an equaliser in the dying embers to level the scoreline 1-1 and make another major dent in Liverpool’s ambitions of qualifying for the Champions League next season.
Four points adrift of the in-form Chelsea side heading into this end of this week, Jurgen Klopp will realize that only a win will do and the dissatisfaction will lie in the way that his side created enough opportunities to have dominated the Newcastle match well before Joe Willock’s late strike.
Man United, meanwhile, would cherish just to heap more misery on their greatest rivals in English top-flight football and further cement their top-four ambitions this end of the week, and the hosts end up in the advantageous situation of having two exceptionally encouraging courses into the Champions League next season courtesy of their recent success in the Europa League.
A 6-2 pounding of the Serie An outfit AS Roma in the midweek clash emphasised that it would take an exceptional turn of events to keep them out of the Gdansk showdown, where they look set to take on either Villarreal or Arsenal.
WHEN & WHERE?
Next up, @ManUtd away ✊ pic.twitter.com/463RkOJKxH
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 26, 2021
Date: 2 May Sunday
Time: 3:30 PM GMT
Venue: Old Trafford
TEAM NEWS
Much focus would be on whether Nat Phillips is able to stage a return to the pitch come Sunday with the 23-year-old central defender who has stepped up for an injury-ravaged Liverpool outfit facing a hamstring issue of late.
In Phillips’ extended absence, Fabinho has once again been drafted in the centre-back role alongside the on-loan Ozan Kabak and the former looks set to continue in such capacity should Phillips be sidelined for the weekend fixture.
⚡ Moving towards @ManUtd 🔜 pic.twitter.com/gB1RJtZSjJ
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 28, 2021
Jurgen Klopp will once again have a major decision to make ahead of the upcoming clash in respect to his attacking options who were subject to much censure last time around following their dismal showing in front of the goal.
The likes of Jordan Henderson and Virgil van Dijk remain long-term absentees as neither player shows any sign of featuring again this s
KEY BATTLE
Marcus Rashford v Trent Alexander-Arnold
It always makes for a delightful showing to watch these two compatriots come up against each other with recent battles having gone in Rashford’s favour, most notably this season’s FA Cup meeting earlier this year.
Rashford remains key to United’s attacking prospects on the pitch while Arnold, who has endured a campaign of mixed fortunes, is central to Liverpool’s performances on either end of the pitch.
Should any side harbour hopes of clinching all three points, both these names would be under pressure to turn up at their best in what is expected to be a high-octane clash between two arch-rivals.
MATCH PREDICTION
Despite the anticipation heading into Sunday’s contest at Old Trafford, many believe it could be yet another fizzled out North West derby clash as has been witnessed in the past couple of seasons.
Manchester United’s recent form has been majestic, to say the least, but the Red Devils could be held to a stalemate on their home turf by a Liverpool side who have all to play for in the remainder of this season.
We predict a 1-1 draw.
