Manchester United vs Liverpool: 4 Tactical factors to watch out for

#3 Liverpool’s front three should prove their worth

Liverpool’s much-vaunted front three have not played very well in the last few matches and actually failed to score any goal at home against Bayern Munich. Mohamed Salah has scored 20 goals in the ongoing season so far, but struggled to find the net against big teams. He would still be the biggest threat to United’s defence on Sunday.

Sadio Mane has also not performed very well in the last few matches, and it is time for him to come good against quality opposition. Mane would have to more clinical in his approach, as he cannot afford to give the ball away by holding onto it for too long.

Roberto Firmino has impressed with his defensive work and link-up play this season, but more is expected from him as a striker. He is strong in the air and might look to score with a header from the set-pieces.

United’s centre-backs Victor Lindelof and Chris Smalling/Phil Jones would have to be on their toes to stop the front three of Liverpool. Fullbacks Ashley Young and Luke Shaw defended very well against Chelsea in their 2-0 win and would have to repeat the act against Liverpool if United are to have any chance of winning the match.

Shaw, especially, would have to always be on guard against Salah. Lindelof should play as the left centre back and might play his part in stopping Salah’s runs through the inside-right channel. However, if Liverpool’s fullbacks overlap frequently and combine with their wingers, it would be difficult for the United defence to withstand that pressure.

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Subhadeep, an adept tennis journalist at Sportskeeda, has been writing about the sport for seven years. He is known for his exclusive match reviews and opinion pieces, utilizing his MBA degree to tackle them effectively with his problem-solving abilities.

Subhadeep lives and breathes tennis. He watches matches regularly and engages in social media platforms to stay on top of the latest happenings. As a writer, he brings the fan's perspective to his pieces, ensuring his readers enjoy an exceptional experience every time.

Growing up, he idolized Boris Becker, but he now firmly believes Novak Djokovic stands alone as the 'Greatest of all Time', especially considering the 24-time Grand Slam champion's incredible stats. One thing that still puzzles Subhadeep, however, is how Becker's Wimbledon tally might have reached five if not for Pete Sampras.

Speaking of the All England Club, the British Major holds a special place in his heart as he admires its blend of tradition and grass-court excellence. When not working for Sportskeeda, Subhadeep delves into the other "love of his life": football, and enjoys contributing his insights to different websites dedicated to the sport.

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Edited by Ben Roberts