Premier League preview – Liverpool v Manchester United

Bill Shankly

On Sunday, the fieriest rivalry in English football will take centre-stage as Liverpool host arch-rivals Manchester United in what is set to be a pulsating clash on the Merseyside at Anfield.

Liverpool will be aiming to maintain their perfect start to the new season on a historic day when they celebrate the 100th birthday (on Monday) of their famous manager Bill Shankly and the victory over United would be the most ideal birth present for the Liverpool legend.

Brendan Rodgers’ side have followed up their strong finish to last season by winning their opening two games against Stoke City and Aston Villa but, despite their current good form, extending their winning streak against United will not be an easy task, as they haven’t beaten the regning Premier League champions in their last four league meetings.

Manchester United, on the other hand, have been handed one of the toughest starts to a Premier League title defence in their history, but so far have responded well. An impressive 4-1 away win at Swansea City and a goalless draw against Chelsea at Old Trafford will please new boss David Moyes, who returns to Merseyside for the first time since taking over at Old Trafford.

The former Everton boss has won just three in 22 matches against Liverpool during his 11-year stint on the Merseyside – with all of those successes coming at Goodison Park. The Scot has never won at Anfield and will be seeking to end that record on Sunday with Manchester United.DATE , TIME AND COVERAGESunday 01 September, 13:30 CET (18:00 IST) kick-off. Live on Sky Sports 1/HD and Sky 3D . Live match commentary on BBC Football.TEAM NEWSLiverpool

Liverpool have a number of injury problems to contend with ahead of their clash on Sunday lunchtime. Rodgers will be without new loan signing Aly Cissokho (ankle) as the 25-year-old is expected to be out for four to six weeks after suffering the injury during the Capital One Cup clash with Notts County. However, summer signing Kolo Toure (groin) and Joe Allen (hamstring) also picked up injuries in the same game and are a major doubt for the game. If the Ivorian fails to recover, the Reds are hoping that Martin Skrtel (knee) will be fit to take his place alongside Daniel Agger in the heart of their defence, while star striker Luis Suarez remains suspended as he serves the eighth game of his 10-match ban.

Squad: Brad Jones, Simon Mignolet | Glen Johnson, Jose Enrique, Kolo Toure, Daniel Agger, Martin Kelly, Martin Skrtel, Andre Wisdom | Luis Alberto, Steven Gerrard (C), Philippe Coutinho, Jordan Henderson, Lucas Leiva, Raheem Sterling, Jordon Ibe | Iago Aspas, Daniel Sturridge, Fabio Borini.

Manchester United

Manchester United boss Moyes has no new injury worries ahead of the big game at Anfield on Sunday. Wayne Rooney is expected to keep his place in the starting XI after impressing against Chelsea on Monday night, but there have been some reports stating that he could be a major doubt for the game after sustaining a head injury in training. Phil Jones (back) is expected to be fit and start at right-back in place of Rafael (hamstring), while the likes Javier Hernandez (hamstring), Jonny Evans (ankle) and Nani (groin) are likely to miss out and Darren Fletcher (illness) is definitely out.

Squad: David De Gea, Anders Lindegaard, Ben Amos | Patrice Evra, Phil Jones, Rio Ferdinand, Jonny Evans, Chris Smalling, Nemanja Vidic (C), Fabio, Alexander Buttner, Guillermo Varela, Michael Keane | Anderson, Ryan Giggs, Michael Carrick, Ashley Young, Tom Cleverley, Antonio Valencia, Shinji Kawaga, Wilfried Zaha, Bebe, Adnan Januzaj | Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck, Robin van Persie, Federico Macheda.HEAD TO HEADPlayed - 216Liverpool Wins - 72Draw - 62Manchester United Wins - 82HEAD TO HEAD FIXTURES13-Jan-13 – Premier League – Manchester United 2-1 Liverpool23-Sep-12 – Premier League – Liverpool 1-2 Manchester United11-Feb-12 – Premier League – Manchester United 2-1 Liverpool28-Jan-12 – FA Cup – Liverpool 2-1 Manchester United15-Oct-12 – Premier League – Liverpool 1-1 Manchester UnitedFORM GUIDELiverpool – WWLiverpool have continued their good form from towards the end of last season into this season and come into this match on the back of a perfect start to the new campaign with 1-0 wins over Stoke City at Anfield and in-form Aston Villa at Villa Park.

24-Aug-13 – Premier League – Aston Villa 0-1 Liverpool17-Aug-13 – Premier League – Liverpool 1-0 Stoke City

Manchester United – DWWUnited have been handed one of the toughest starts to the season and have so far impressed with a 4-1 win at Swansea and a 0-0 draw against championship rivals Chelsea at Old Trafford. The Red Devils also won their first silverware of the season as they defeated FA Cup holders, Wigan Athletic in the Community Shield at Wembley.

26-Aug-13 – Premier League – Manchester United 0-0 Chelsea17-Aug-13 – Premier League – Swansea City 1-4 Manchester United11-Aug-13 – Community Shield – Manchester United 2-0 Wigan AthleticPLAYERS TO WATCHWayne Rooney (Manchester United)

Wayne Rooney is doubtful for the match, according to recent reports

There have been some doubts over the fitness of Rooney having sustained an accidental head injury in training and may even miss the big game, but if he does feature then he is surely the man to watch out for. The England striker was linked with a move to Chelsea all summer, but on Monday night he started, he impressed and won over all the United fans with his performance. He was by far the best player on the pitch. There is no doubt the former Evertonian is one of the best English players of his generation and on Sunday lunchtime he would love to continue his good form and will be the major threat for the hosts.

Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool)Gerrard is always a threat whenever you face Liverpool, and in the absence of Suarez, Sturridge will be the man to watch out for. After joining from Chelsea last January, the English striker has established himself as one of Liverpool’s primary attacking weapons by scoring 12 goals last season. Maintaining that momentum, the Manchester City academy graduate has picked up where he left of, netting four goals in just three games this season. He posses a huge threat and the United defenders will have to keep an eye on this predatory striker.MANAGER QUOTESBrendan Rodgers, Liverpool

“There’s an intense rivalry there. It’s not just the football clubs – it’s the cities that you’re representing. It’s a game that, last year, we were unfortunate not to get something from. We lost the game but we’re very confident going into this game. It’s a game which should be very close. We’re at home and we’ll look to take the initiative.

“If you look at our numbers since we last played Manchester United in January, that’s the improvement where we’ve really kicked on. The big thing for us was consistency. From when we played them in January, we’ve played 18 Premier League games each – they have won 11 and we have won 10, we have drawn six games and they have drawn five, and we have both lost two games. So over the course of that period from January they have made two points more than us and obviously they became champions.

“For us, it’s a case of continuing with that consistency. If we can do that, I think we can compete with anyone. We know it’s a really difficult challenge but we’ve shown enough in the last number of months, the second half of last season and the beginning of this season, that we can sustain a challenge. That’s something we’re very determined to do.”

David Moyes, Manchester United

“Anfield has always been a difficult place to go. It’s a great stadium and I’m looking forward to going back there. [In some ways it's] no different to any other game as you can only get three points for a win but it’d be a big win if we can do that. Liverpool are one of the strong teams this season so if we can do that it can be a good start.

“I don’t know [if it will be different going there with United] as I’ve not been involved in it yet. Everyone tells me it’s a big rivalry, Liverpool and United, and it was like that with Everton as well. I’m looking forward to the game and part of coming to Manchester United is to be involved in these type of games.

“Liverpool have started the season strongly (they’re one of only two teams to boast a 100 per cent record) and have signed a number of players this summer, including Iago Aspas, Simon Mignolet, Kolo Toure and Aly Cissokho. I think Brendan Rodgers is building his team and changing things around to the way he wants it to be. Liverpool have always been a great football club, challenging for trophies.”

MANAGER STATSRodgers v Manchester United

Games - 4Won - 0Draw - 0Lost - 4

Moyes v Liverpool

Games - 25Won - 4Draw - 8Lost - 13

Rodgers v Moyes

Games - 4Rodgers Wins - 0Draw - 2Moyes Wins - 2PROBABLE LINEUPSLiverpool (4-3-3): Simon Mignolet; Glen Johnson, Martin Skrtel, Daniel Agger, Jose Enrique; Jordan Henderson, Lucas Leiva, Steven Gerrard (C); Iago Aspas, Philippe Coutinho, Daniel Sturridge.

After two consecutive wins to start the new season, Rodgers will be tempeted to play with the same team that started both the games, but due to injuries the former Swansea boss will have change the winning formula. Toure is a major doubt after picking a groin injury against Notts County, making way for Skrtel to pair up with Agger in defence. Mignolet will start in goal with four-man defence of Johnson, Skrtel, Agger and Enrique protecting the goal. Henderson, Lucas and skipper Gerrard will form the three man midfield, while the in-form Sturridge is expected lead the line with the likes of Coutinho and Aspas supporting him on the flanks.

Manchester United (4-4-1-1): David De Gea; Phil Jones, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic (C), Patrice Evra; Antonio Valencia, Michael Carrick, Tom Cleverley, Danny Welbeck; Wayne Rooney; Robin van Persie.

Manchester United boss Moyes could stick with pretty much the same starting line-up that started on Monday night against Chelsea, for Sunday’s important trip to Liverpool. De Gea, as usual, will start in between the sticks with the back four of Jones, Ferdinand, Vidic and Evra in front of him. Carrick and Cleverley will form the midfield duo in the centre of the park supported by Valencia on the right wing and Welbeck on the left. Rooney is a major doubt for the game and if he does play, he will play in the hole behind Van Persie and if he does misses out then either Welbeck or Kagawa might feature.MATCH FACTS

• 3 – Liverpool have been winning at both half time and full time in their last 3 matches in the Premier League.
• 3 – Man Utd have won their last 3 matches against Liverpool in all competitions.
• 3 – There have been under 2.5 goals scored in Liverpool’s last 3 home games in the Premier League.
• 3 – Liverpool have won with a 1 goal margin in their last 3 home matches in the Premier League.
• 3 – Man Utd have scored at least 2 goals in their last 3 matches against Liverpool in all competitions.
• 3 – David Moyes masterminded just 3 wins in 22 Premier League clashes with Liverpool when he was Everton manager (D7 L12). None of those wins came at Anfield (D6 L5).
• 4 – Liverpool have won their last 4 matches in the Premier League.
• 4 – Liverpool have seen over 2.5 goals in their last 4 matches against Man Utd in all competitions.
• 4 – Steven Gerrard has scored 4 goals in his last six Premier League appearances against Manchester United; including a goal in each of the last two encounters at Anfield.
• 8 – Manchester United have been given 8 red cards versus Liverpool in the Premier League; more than against any other team.
• 26 – Man Utd are undefeated in 26 of their last 28 matches in the Premier League.

REFEREEName - Andre MarrinerBased - MidlandsAge - 42Games - 2Yellow Cards - 8Red Cards - 1Penalties Awarded - 0MATCH ODDSLiverpool 13/8, Draw 9/4, Manchester United 9/5PREDICTIONA game of this magnitude and stature is always difficult to predict and is always a tense affair. Don’t expect anything different from this game. Liverpool have made an encouraging start to the new season having won both the games but it won’t be any easy against Manchester United. The hosts can feel hopeful because of captain Gerrard and Sturridge’s hot streak, but United have the best players who could turn the game on their head on their own. With Rooney getting back to his best and Van Persie in their ranks, United are the slight favourites and might just edge this one giving Moyes his first win at Anfield.

Predicted Score: Liverpool 1-2 Manchester United