As the curtain sets on the weekend’s Premier League action, Mourinho’s Manchester United travel to Anfield to face Klopp’s in-form Liverpool. United won the last meeting between the sides, courtesy of a brace from Juan Mata, but the Merseysiders got the better of the Red Devils in their two-legged Europa League encounter last season.
Liverpool are better placed in the table than their Manchester rivals and having defeated Chelsea, Arsenal and Leicester City, they head into the match on a high.
United, on the other hand, have a run of fixtures that sees them face both Chelsea and Man City within the next 9 days, apart from a mid-week Europa league clash against Turkish giants Fenerbache.
Defensive frailties ail both the sides and Klopp’s Liverpool, despite their attractive, eye-catching, counter attacking football, have not managed a single clean sheet in the League so far. Mourinho will hope that his players use this game as a stepping stone and shrug off the sloppiness that cost his side three points against the Potters.
As the big game between two fierce rivals is about to unfold, we look at five players that could have a significant influence on the exhilarating encounter.
#1 Jordan Henderson
Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson, has been instrumental for Klopp’s side this season and will again be expected to marshal the midfield for the Reds. His excellent performance this season – as was evident in Liverpool’s win against Conte’s Chelsea and his wonderful goal – has won him many admirers.
Henderson’s battle with United’s record summer buy, Paul Pogba, at the heart of the pitch, could well decide which team wins the encounter.
Ex-Arsenal winger James Merson said in the build-up to the match that he would pick Henderson over the talented Frenchman in his side. Henderson’s drive and link up play with Coutinho, Lallana and other players is crucial to Liverpool’s performance. Come Monday, the Kop faithful would expect a masterful performance from Liverpool’s No.6.
#2 Zlatan Ibrahimovic
It is fair to say that Zlatan Ibrahimovic has already made an impact to the Manchester United team and the Premier League. The lanky forward has been the focal point of United’s attack and will again be expected to be the lynchpin going forward.
A game against an in-form Liverpool team offers a perfect stage for Ibrahimovic to dominate and stamp his class. The Swedish striker has not scored in the League since the Manchester derby and Monday’s big game offers an ideal opportunity to add to his tally.
Ibrahimovic’s link up with Martial and Juan Mata will be decisive for United’s chances of upstaging the Scousers. It is safe to say that the Liverpool defenders have their task out against the Swedish superstar.
#3 Roberto Firmino
Signed from Hoffenheim last season to primarily play as a No. 10, Firmino has thrived under Klopp’s tutelage and has become their most versatile player. The Brazilian has been predominantly deployed as false 9 this season and has grabbed the opportunity with both hands, and even become a regular for the Selecao (Brazilian National Team).
Firmino’s signing coincided with United’s signing of Dutch midfielder Memphis Depay, but over the last 18 months, the careers of the two have gone opposite ways. Depay, despite his bright start at Old Trafford, has struggled for regular game time and has largely become a fringe player under Mourinho.
Firmino, on the other hand, worked his way into the team after an indifferent start and has now become an important player in Jurgen Klopp’s side.
The Brazilian has scored 4 times in his 8 appearances this season and has also made 3 assists for the Reds
#4 Paul Pogba
The talented Frenchman was signed from Italian giants Juventus for a record sum of £89 million this summer after leaving United earlier for Turin. Ever since his debut for the Red Devils, Pogba’s performance has come under severe scrutiny.
Barring the game against last season’s champions Leicester City, Pogba has struggled to justify his price tag as the World’s most expensive player. Indifferent and lacklustre performances against Stoke City and in the Europa League means that Pogba is losing time to prove his worth.
While there is no doubting his ability, a brilliant performance against arch rivals Liverpool would go a long way to boost his confidence and silence his critics. The Frenchman’s midfield tussle with Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson could decide the winner of this crunch clash.
#5 Sadio Mane
Sadio Mane is Liverpool’s trump card and since his arrival from Southampton, the attacking midfielder has impressed one and all with his exemplary work rate and movement down the flanks. Mane, when on song, can be a treat to watch and almost impossible to stop.
The Senegalese international was particularly impressive against Chelsea, Hull City and Leicester.
Mane’s pace gives Liverpool much needed width, which in turn helps creative players like Coutinho and Firmino thrive. The former Southampton player can also track back and help out the defence which makes him a perfect player in Klopp’s setup.
Daley Blind, the Manchester United left-back, would have to bring his A-game if he has to stop the ex-Saints winger from making marauding runs down the right flank.
The 24-year-old has scored 3 goals for Liverpool this season and is one of the major threats to United’s defence.
