WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp: "Apart from the table, it's a very important game. I know about the history, I like the special stories. The whole world will watch this game, it's a big honour to be part of it.
"At the end, it's up to us to perform to our best. You cannot and should not ignore the special circumstance of a game like this. You have to be ready.
"They have big quality and we have to respect this, as we do. But this is Anfield. We have to show this. We have had a few nice atmospheres but I'm open for the best atmosphere. We need everybody in a Liverpool shirt in this game."
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho on concerns over disrespectful chanting at the game: "In football we have some football tragedies, if you can say that, which is a big match that you lost, the mistake that some player did, this kind of thing, and you can make fun of it in a positive way.
"But the human tragedy is something much more serious. It's the last thing somebody should use in a football pitch because they were really big tragedies, not to forget but to respect.
"I will be really sad in such a big football match if that was a negative point."
Jose was also asked if he agreed Wayne Rooney is a “big-game player” after his exploits in the same fixture last season.
“The records are not important for me. A match is an isolated event,” He said. “There is no relation to what you did in the past; no relation to what you do in the future. That is why I don’t like much the statistics of previous matches and previous results and this kind of thing.”
MATCH FACTS Liverpool vs Manchester United
**A defeat for Liverpool will be the first time they have lost three straight home league games to Manchester United since January 2005.
**United have won their last four league games against Liverpool and seven of the last nine.
**That run of four defeats for Liverpool is their worst since losing five consecutive matches to United in March 2008.
**Liverpool have lost 67 league matches against Manchester United - more than against any other opponent.
**There hasn't been a draw between the two sides domestically since a 1-1 league stalemate at Anfield in October 2011.
**Steven Gerrard, with eight goals, is the top scorer in this fixture in the Premier League era. Wayne Rooney and Robbie Fowler both have six.
LIVERPOOL'S FORM (DWWWW)
**Liverpool are going for a fifth league win on the trot which would be their best run since March 2015.
**Since Jurgen Klopp was appointed as Liverpool manager in October 2015 they have scored a league high 73 goals and have the highest average possession figure of 58.8%.
**The Reds have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last nine league games.
**Klopp has lost just one of his five meetings with Jose Mourinho, winning three and drawing one.
**James Milner has been involved in 21 Premier League goals since the start of last season - nine goals and 12 assists - more than any other Liverpool player.
MANCHESTER UNITED'S FORM (WLLWD)
**Jose Mourinho's men have won only twice in their last five league games, conceding seven goals.
**Wayne Rooney currently has 87 Premier League away goals, the joint-most in the competition alongside Alan Shearer.
**Manchester United had three points more at this stage last season under Louis Van Gaal (16).
**Marcus Rashford has scored 12 goals since his debut for Manchester United on 25 February 2016, four more than any other United player.
PREDICTION
Results this weekend in the English Premier League make this fixture of paramount importance for both teams. I laugh at the pundits suggestions that the home side has a 53% change of winning and they give the away side 24% with a draw lagging behind with 23%.
I agree with Jose when he says form goes out the window, especially in a derby, I also agree with Klopp the whole world will be watching and that could be telling, it is massive a game for Liverpool and everyone expects United to come short. That's why my money is on the 'so-called' underdogs. Manchester United to win it by the odd goal or two!!
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Interesting prediction and I second your thought that form and past games in the league go out the window in this clash...as always....
ReplyDeleteWe cannot deny though that Liverpool are playing good football. They have not only dominated games by scoring first and maintaining and adding to that lead, but have also shown that they are capable of chasing a game and going on to win it....in the same breadth however I say....This is Manchester United...not just any team...not just any "underdogs". I see quite a few goals in this game...and a lot of attacking from both sides....I see an attractive match tonight....one that will have us glued to our sets and on the edge of our seats....GGMU
First comment in ages!!!!!! Thanks man. They keep the ball well and score goals but concede more than their manager would like. Form is all they got mate they need to consistently produce week in and week out and four wins in a row is not even considered a run these days. Would love to see plenty of goals hence my prediction a goal or two. Normally he who scores first wins this fixture but normal isn't exactly a term we use for both the hosts or the visitors.
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