Liverpool make the trip to Old Trafford on Monday night for the North West derby against a struggling Manchester United side who have lost both of their opening games this new season.
Jurgen Klopp’s Merseysiders are themselves in search of their first win of the 2022-23 Premier League campaign with two draws on the trot against Fulham and Crystal Palace and would look for a much-needed return to winning ways to get their season back on track.
The Reds have been caught in a woeful injury crisis as of late with centre-back Joel Matip joining the growing list which had already sidelined the likes of Thiago Alcantara, Diogo Jota, Curtis Jones and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
New boy Darwin Nunez, who got his life in the Liverpool shirt off to a good start following his mega-money move in the summer from Benfica, was shown the red card last time around against Palace and the 23-year-old striker will now sit out the upcoming three games, adding to Klopp’s selection dilemma.
A convincing win against an embattled United side, which faces protests from the supporters against the club’s ownership planned ahead of Monday’s kick-off at Old Trafford, would be of much importance to Liverpool who had put out two splendid showings in an aggregate 9-0 win over their arch rivals across the two league outings last term.
WHEN & WHERE?
Up next, a trip to Old Trafford 🏟 #MUNLIV pic.twitter.com/srQTSONqGr
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 17, 2022
Date: Monday 22 August 2022
Time: 7 PM GMT
Venue: Old Trafford
TEAM NEWS
Nunez will not be involved for Liverpool in the upcoming derby clash as the summer signing begins a three-match suspension which opens the door for Roberto Firmino’s inclusion on the team sheet.
At the back, Jurgen Klopp sounded out in his pre-match remarks that Joe Gomez will push for a starting berth in the centre-back role at the expense of Nat Phillips who deputized for the injured Matip in last weekend’s draw at home against Palace.
Naby Keita could be in line for a start too after a full week of training for the midfielder whose return will be a boost to Klopp’s side which has been grappling of late with injury troubles in the centre of the park.
KEY BATTLE
Cristiano Ronaldo vs Luis Diaz
Despite the speculation that continues to hover around his future in the Manchester United shirt, Cristiano Ronaldo remains Eric ten Hag’s most influential player on the team sheet.
Ronaldo will look to cause trouble for the Virgil van Dijk-led backline with the Portuguese superstar hoping to get back among the goals after a timid start to the new season going by his usual standards.
For the visitors, Columbian international Luis Diaz was key to his side salvaging a draw last time around with the 25-year-old winger netting a splendid strike from outside the box and he will look to carry on his rich vein of form against a United defence that has looked incredibly vulnerable in their opening two games.
MATCH PREDICTION
Liverpool look the stronger of the two teams and Jurgen Klopp will be counting on his players to shake off their recent sluggishness to claim their first win of the new league campaign.
Manchester United 0-3 Liverpool
