3 Reasons why Liverpool should beat Manchester United on Sunday

Modified Dec 14, 2018 06:26 GMT

Liverpool are going to play Manchester United on Sunday at Anfield in a Premier League match. Liverpool are currently at the top of the league table with 42 points from 16 matches and would be looking forward to a victory on Sunday to maintain their lead. United, on the other hand, are at the 6th position with 26 points from 16 matches and would be happy if they can earn a point from the match.

Liverpool’s form continues to be good in continental football too, as they beat Napoli to secure a place in the knock-out round earlier this week. United, on the other hand, lost to Valencia last Wednesday, though they have been able to qualify somehow. Liverpool would start favorites in the Sunday’s clash and even the staunchest united supporters would not be hoping for a win for their side.

We would take a look at the 3 reasons why Liverpool should win the match easily:

#1 Mohamed Salah and Alisson Becker’s form

Mohamed Salah began the season in an ordinary fashion after last season’s unforgettable performance with Liverpool, when he won the PFA Player of the Year and the Golden Boot. He seems to have found the Midas touch again as he scored the match-winner against Napoli and also scored a hattrick against Bournemouth last Saturday.

he goal against Napoli was a testimony to Salah’s ability as a player as he dodged past 2 Napoli defenders to slot the ball past the goalkeeper to the far corner of the net. This was also his 13th goal in 23 matches this season.

Goalkeeper Alisson too has been remarkable for Liverpool this season and has kept 10 clean sheets in the Premier League so far, the highest by any goalkeeper. He was brilliant against Napoli too and prevented at least a couple of certain goals.

The Brazilian goalkeeper was brilliant in the last year’s World Cup as well and has only enhanced his reputation considerably since then. He is 6 feet 4 inches tall and has a commanding presence inside the 6-yard box. The fact that Liverpool has a decent defence to support him only increases the chance of their winning.

#2 Anfield is Liverpool's fortress

Liverpool’s home ground Anfield is known for having one of the most electrifying atmospheres in the world. The chants of “You'll never walk alone” and the overwhelming presence of the supporters make it extremely difficult for any opposition team to perform well there.

Manchester City has been the only team to come away with a point from Anfield in the league so far. Therefore, the chance of Liverpool losing Sunday’s match is minuscule and even a draw is extremely unlikely.

Moreover, United last won a match at Anfield in January 2016. They managed to sneak out a draw somehow last year but would find it extremely difficult to repeat that feat. United have traditionally never performed well at Anfield and it is extremely unlikely that they are going to reverse the trend this year. In fact, the Liverpool supporters should be confident of an emphatic win this time too.

#3 United’s poor form

Manchester United have been pretty poor this season and have won only 3 of their 8 away matches in the league so far, all against weaker opponents. Moreover, they have not been able to win any match against the top 5 teams so far.

They managed to split points with Chelsea and Arsenal, but lost against City and Tottenham. Moreover, their form in Europe has not been spectacular either as they could only qualify by virtue of a win against Juventus.

United striker Romelu Lukaku has been pretty ordinary this season but seemed to have regained his form somewhat with a goal against Fulham in United’s previous league match. He has only scored 6 goals for United in this season so far.

Moreover, their forward line has looked bereft of ideas and they have not been able to finalize on a back 4 for themselves either. Centre-back Phil Jones scored an own goal against Valencia to increase the worries of the United supporters. Some of them might even be apprehensive of a bigger humiliation at Anfield on Sunday.

Edited by Raunak J