5 reasons why Manchester United could destroy Liverpool

Liverpool against Manchester United is always one to note down in your calendars. It provides thrills, spills and, usually, one team coming out on top. For any manager coaching these two teams, this is one game that you do not want to lose.

Despite Liverpool’s recent form, Jürgen Klopp’s men come into this game as slight favourites given their big-game success rate, and the fact that they are at Anfield - a fortress for the Reds.

However, José Mourinho’s team will have every right to be confident based on early season results and where they are in the Premier League table. They must believe that they can achieve an all-important win.

Here are five reasons why Man United can beat Liverpool:

#5 Defensive organisation

Eric Bailly has been a key player at the back for Manchester United

This season, Manchester United have only conceded two goals in the Premier League - both to Stoke City away from home. It is evident to see that Mourinho has emphasised what a robust defence means for any title challengers.

When Chelsea won the league under Antonio Conte, they did so primarily because they had a resolute defence. Mourinho knows all about how this can aid a team and that is why he has made sure everything is as organised as it can be.

United have been typically hard to break down this season, and have only really been caught on the counter-attack, or lost concentration when three or four goals to the good.

Against Liverpool, they will need to stay sharp at all times, but it bodes well coming into this game at Anfield that they have such a cohesive defence.

#4 The pace of Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford

Martial and Rashford have done a good job on the wide areas

Both Martial and Rashford have been sensational so far with one coming on for the other throughout the game. This enables an injection of immense pace into the game when the other player is tiring.

Liverpool’s defence is all over the place, as shown against Newcastle in their 1-1 draw, and so the sheer speed of the two forwards can really pin back the Reds’ defence inside their own half.

Klopp’s men will have to double up on these two players given their threat down the wings. The German manager will know how United can punish teams on the counter-attack through Martial and Rashford, and so will be more hesitant in allowing his full-backs to bombard forward.

#3 Nemanja Mati? dictating the game

The former Chelsea defensive midfielder has been a revelation for Manchester United since signing this past summer. He might have said himself that he is not 100% fit, because of a lack of a pre-season due to uncertainty over his future, but he is still displaying a very high level of performance.

What Mati? does so well, and what United have missed for several years, is a midfielder that can not only sit in front of the defence and protect it but also kickstart a counter-attack with one pass.

Mati? has been superb for the Red Devils, but his biggest test so far will come at Anfield. He will have a busy day trying to nullify the attacks of Philippe Coutinho, but if this season is anything to go by, he should have it under control.

#2 Liverpool’s lack of a defence

Liverpool's defence has failed to put in convincing performances so far this season

Klopp might possess one of the best attacks in the Premier League, but there is no hiding from his penetrable defence. It is weak, disorganised and lacks a natural leader like former Reds player Jamie Carragher.

Against Newcastle United, in their last game before the international break, a comedy of errors led to Joselu finding the back of the net to equalise.

First of all, Joe Gomez and Alberto Moreno, the Reds' full-backs, were so high up the pitch, it left Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip as the only two players back defending.

Because Liverpool's two central defenders were so far apart, attempting to cover the space left by Moreno and Gomez, Jonjo Shelvey played a very simple through-ball that sliced Liverpool's defence apart and allowed Joselu a one-on-one chance.

Man United must exploit Liverpool's feeble defence through their electrifying counter-attacks, as well as their interchanging offensive positions. Sooner or later, the Reds will crumble.

#1 Early goals for United

Manchester United have started games really well this season

If this season has proved anything, it is Manchester United's love for an early goal. They have opened the scoring in four of their last five games before the fifth minute.

They have seemingly worked out a way to come firing out of the blocks and startle their opponents. Mourinho's men must do the same to settle into the game at Anfield and silence the raucous crowd.

It will be a fiery atmosphere, but if United can grab an early goal, it will mellow the crowd out for the time being and give the Red Devils a platform to build on.

“It helps to score early because then you play with more confidence,” Mata said. “The most important thing was the timing of the goal, it made things easier for us.”

If the players have a greater sense of belief after scoring early, then that will only spur them on at Anfield to go and score more. An early goal could really set the tempo for Manchester United.