On Sunday, it’s Liverpool vs Manchester United at Anfield as the Premier League returns, reigniting England’s fiercest rivalry following a two-week international break. Both clubs enter the game with contrasting forms and momentum, as last season’s champions, once unbeaten in their first eight matches, have stumbled to three consecutive defeats across all competitions.
At the same time, Sunday’s visitors have also endured a shaky start to the campaign. Yet when it’s Liverpool vs Manchester United, form and statistics often fade away – it’s a contest driven by pride, passion, and history. The game on Sunday will be the 100th time both teams have faced off at Anfield, with United seeking their 27th win at the ground.
Liverpool vs Manchester United: More Than Just Three Points
Liverpool, currently ranked second, faces a Manchester United side sitting 10th in the league table. On paper, the Merseyside club are the overwhelming favourites to claim all three points, but in this Premier League fixture, logic often counts for little – it’s passion, composure, and flashes of brilliance that shape the outcome.
Over the years, this rivalry has produced unforgettable moments and shocking scorelines – none more so than Liverpool’s historic 7-0 demolition of United at Anfield in 2023. A result that came just a week after United had lifted the Carabao Cup.
In the last 10 meetings between the two sides, Liverpool has dominated the head-to-head, winning five, drawing three, and losing just two.
Under Ruben Amorim, Manchester United will be aiming to turn the tide in a fixture that has rarely gone their way in recent years. Sunday’s clash marks the Portuguese’s second meeting with Liverpool, with their previous encounter ending in a thrilling 2-2 draw. This time, Amorim will be hoping his side can replicate that resilience – or even go one better and claim all three points.
Arne Slot vs Ruben Amorim
Arne Slot vs Ruben Amorim. One, already a Premier League champion; the other, still working to steady the ship nearly a year after taking charge.
Although Arne Slot’s side’s form is troubling and they have struggled for consistency in recent weeks, it would be unwise to rule them out – they remain genuine title contenders, boasting quality and depth across every area of the pitch. With a squad full of match-winners capable of turning a game at any moment, Liverpool are never out of the fight.
For Amorim, it’s a different task. The Manchester United boss is still trying to galvanise his squad into a winning team and one capable of challenging for titles. His focus will be on organisation, discipline, and seizing key moments – because against a side like Liverpool at Anfield, fine margins often decide everything.
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Key Players Who Could Decide the Game
Salah
Returning from the international break after leading his country to qualification for the 2026 World Cup, Mohamed Salah will be eager to carry his national team form into club action, especially in such a Premier League fixture.
The reigning PFA Players’ Player of the Year has already registered six goal contributions across all competitions this season. And while some critics claim he drifts in and out of games, there’s no denying his impact – Salah remains Liverpool’s most dangerous weapon, capable of changing a match in an instant.
In the EPL, he has scored 10 goals against the Red Devils, and in Sunday’s famous Liverpool vs Manchester United fixture, he’ll be looking to add more goals.
Bruno Fernandes
Although he has been criticised for missing two crucial penalties, Portuguese midfielder Bruno Fernandes remains Manchester United’s biggest threat despite his form.
This season, the 31-year-old has just one goal from open play, with the team managing only nine in total – a statistic that highlights his influence.
When Bruno Fernandes struggles, the entire team often follows suit, lacking creativity and cutting edge in the final third. But when he finds his rhythm and leads by example, United look like a completely different side – sharper, more confident, and capable of competing with any team in the league.
Mbeumo
One of the few new signings who has impressed, the former Brentford man has been on international duty with the Cameroon national team during the African World Cup qualifiers, as they fight to secure their spot at the 2026 World Cup.
For Manchester United, he remains one of their few real attacking threats – and while he is yet to fully rediscover the electric form he showed at Brentford, on his day, he’s a handful for any defender, combining pace, power, and technique to change the course of a match.
Goalkeeper United Decides To Start
Since the departure of Andre Onana, who was often labelled “mistake-prone,” Manchester United have turned to Senne Lammens from Belgian side Royal Antwerp, while also giving several opportunities to Altay Bayindir this season.
However, the Turkish international hasn’t fully instilled a sense of confidence in the United fanbase, as he has also been questioned for his shaky performances in goal, which have cost the team points. Meanwhile, Lammens, who has made just one appearance – the last match against Sunderland in which he kept a clean sheet – earned praise for a composed and impressive debut.
Virgil van Dijk
Keeping new signing Benjamin Sesko quiet will be one of the key tasks assigned to Dutchman Virgil van Dijk, and if he manages to win that battle, Liverpool’s chances of taking all three points will greatly increase.
Currently the second-longest serving player at Liverpool, the defender has been a mainstay at the heart of a defence that has won the Champions League, EPL and Carabao Cup.
The defender has faced Manchester United 16 times in the Premier League, winning seven of those encounters. On Sunday, he’ll be looking to add another victory to that record.
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What’s at Stake for Both Clubs
A fourth straight loss for Liverpool against Manchester United will see them equal an unwanted record, as the last time Liverpool lost four consecutive matches in all competitions was in 1986/87, between March 22 and April 11, 1987 under Kenny Dalglish.
While a defeat for Manchester United would see them drop further down the table and compound the misery of their head coach, sparking fresh debate about him being the right man for the job, although co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has promised to give Amorim a minimum of three years to prove his worth.
Conclusion
In a game of this magnitude, it’s simply never about league standings or form. It’s about pride, legacy, and the bragging rights that come with this victory.
No matter the circumstances, a Liverpool vs Manchester United fixture always delivers drama – from Nemanja Vidic’s repeated red cards to Steven Gerrard’s infamous 38-second sending off in 2015 – the game never fails to deliver.
And as the two clubs prepare to clash once again, one thing is certain – victory here resonates far beyond the three points on offer; it’s a statement, a symbol, and a reminder of what this rivalry truly represents.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Propaganda Photo
Recording Date: 05.03.2023