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Liverpool play Manchester United in a crucial Premier League match at Anfield on Sunday. The Reds are firmly at the top of the Premier League table with 61 points from 21 matches, while United are 5th with 34 points from 22 matches. However, it has to be kept in mind in this context that United are the only team to have taken points off Liverpool this season so far.
Moreover, it is the fierce rivalry between the two biggest English clubs which would capture the imagination of the football lovers across the world. Liverpool are unbeaten in their fortress for the last 50 matches, but a young United side could upset the applecart with an inspired display.
Here, we take a look at the three crucial factors which might determine the fate of Sunday’s match.
#1 The work rate of the Liverpool forwards
Liverpool's front three are known for their exceptional work-rate. Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane work tirelessly in the final third. Moreover, they have a tendency to drop down to the middle third to help the midfielders create moves and thwart the opposition attacks. Salah does not drop down as much, but operates through the inside-right channel to keep the opposition centre-backs busy.
It remains to be seen how United deals with such a scenario, as they have a brittle midfield lacking the presence of Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay. Nemanja Matic will have to play an active role if United are to deal with Liverpool successfully in the middle third.
Matic will have to stay in his own half, and help the United defenders deal with the high-press and tireless approach of the Liverpool forwards. Fred, the other central midfielder, will have to play box-to-box, and also help Matic in retaining possession at times. Aaron Wan-Bissaka will also have his hands full in containing the pivotal Mane.
#2 The overlapping runs of the Liverpool fullbacks
Liverpool owe a considerable portion of their recent success to their expeditious full-backs. Both Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson are fast and very accurate with their crosses. They also play diagonal passes between themselves to build up quick attacks.
Alexander-Arnold is one of the best crossers in world football at the moment, and would always remain a threat to the United defence. United can not afford to play Luke Shaw as the left-back, as he is on the slower side, and would struggle to cope with Alexander-Arnold’s speedy runs. Brandon Williams should get the nod ahead of Shaw, and he too, would find it difficult to deal with the Liverpool right-back.
On the other side, Robertson combines very well with Mane and would try to create space by playing one-twos at times. United can think of counter-attacking with quick diagonal balls to exploit the space left behind by the Liverpool full-backs. It is easier said than done though, and much would depend upon the proper implementation of this strategy.
#3 United’s young forwards coming up against titans in Liverpool defence
The Liverpool defence consists of two behemoths, both literally and figuratively, in the forms of Alisson Becker and Virgil van Dijk. Those two are the among the best in the world in their respective playing positions, and would try to keep a clean sheet against the relatively inexperienced and young United attackers. Joe Gomez, the other Liverpool centre-back, is no pushover either, and Liverpool have actually conceded very few goals with Gomez in the side.
It would be a litmus test for the likes of Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial, who have scored 19 and 11 goals, respectively so far this season. Martial and Rashford would have to switch positions frequently in order to trouble the supremely organized Liverpool defence. However, should Rashford miss the tie owing to an injury, Mason Greenwood, another youngster, would get a chance to impress his manager.
Moreover, Andreas Perreira, who is likely to play the role of a no. 10 in a 4-2-3-1 formation for United, would also have to hold his own against the likes of Jordan Henderson and Giorginio Wijnaldaum. Perreira’s role could be very crucial and Fred and Matic would be mostly busy in dealing with the Liverpool forwards. The speed of Daniel James, however, might come in handy in creating holes in the Liverpool defence.
