Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side have all to play for when they make the travels to Old Trafford on Thursday with a win much required by the Merseysiders to keep their top-four hopes alive as the season approaches its conclusion.
Manchester United stand assured of their place amongst Europe’s elite next season but will be hoping to make things difficult for their arch-rivals in the midweek fixture to be contested nearly a week later than its original scheduling.
The ever arguing protests led to the postponement of the derby clash last week and as they finally meet, both teams would be gunning for a memorable win following the lacklustre stalemate earlier this season.
Liverpool had stepped out on the pitch most recently over the last week at Anfield in a game that witnessed the dethroned Premier League champions return to winning ways with a 2-0 scoreline in their favour against Southampton.
Goals from Sadio Mane and Thiago Alcantara, the latter’s first in the Liverpool colours, ensured the Reds cruising to a much-needed triumph in domestic action after a barren set of displays had left them languishing outside the top-six in the league table.
Klopp’s men have the opportunity to close the gap to just three points adrift of Leicester City should they emerge victorious in the two games they have in hand and with the Foxes due to face the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal in the coming weeks, Liverpool would be backing themselves to deliver performances which secure them the much-coveted fourth-place finish in the Premier League.
But first, it is at Old Trafford against a formidable Manchester United outfit that Liverpool are required to do the job of securing all three points to move closer to the top four and eventually clinch Champions League qualification at the expense of the other sides vying for the same prize.
WHEN & WHERE?
Looking ahead to @ManUtd on Thursday 👊 pic.twitter.com/u979DMDUA6
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 11, 2021
Date: 13 May Thursday
Time: 7:15 PM GMT
Venue: Old Trafford
TEAM NEWS
Ozan Kabak is a major injury concern for the visitors to Old Trafford with the young Turk having been sidelined for the recent Saints clash and doubts are starting to emerge whether he would be fit in time for the midweek fixture.
In Kabak’s expected absence at the back, Jurgen Klopp will be forced to turn to his now-usual makeshift centre-back in Fabinho to partner Nat Phillips despite having the services of the teenage starlet Rhys Williams to call upon.
Either one of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain or James Milner would be in contention to grab a starting role in the midfield which would be freed up with Fabinho moving to the Reds backline.
KEY BATTLE
Edinson Cavani vs Nat Phillips
A memorable duel could be on the cards between two players prolific in their aerial prowess as Manchester United’s Edinson Cavani would hope to get the better of an increasingly solid defensive figure in Liverpool’s Nat Phillips.
Phillips has been an outstanding presence for an injury-ravaged Liverpool backline and with his extended run of first-team minutes, he has made a name for himself as one of the toughest players to take on when in the air.
Cavani’s recent displays in front of the goal have been equally rewarding and the veteran striker will be one player to watch out for come Thursday at Old Trafford.
MATCH PREDICTION
As has been the case with the recent derby fixtures contested between two of England’s biggest clubs, many believe Thursday’s meeting to be yet another boring 90 minutes.
Liverpool have a lot at stake in order to keep their top-four hopes alive but Ole Gunnar Solskajer’s Manchester United are sure to make things difficult for their bitter foes who chase Champions League football for the next season.
Our prediction for the game is Manchester United 1-1 Liverpool.
