United v Liverpool: Your essential guide
Manchester United face arch-rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday, in our first match after the international break. Here's everything you need to know ahead of the big game...
The match will be broadcast live in the UK on Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Ultra HD. MUTV subscribers will be able to watch dedicated build-up to the game in the ‘Match Day Live’ show from 15:00 BST, followed by live radio commentary. You can also follow our coverage on ManUtd.com and the Official App, where you can track live data and player statistics in the Match Centre.
Sunday 20 October | Premier League | Old Trafford | 16:30 BST | Live build-up on MUTV from 15:00 BST | Referee: Martin Atkinson
United have a decent recent record against Liverpool at Old Trafford - we haven’t lost to our fierce rivals at home in the last six in all competitions. In the Premier League, we have faced the Anfield outfit 27 times and have won 16, drawn six and lost five of those meetings in M16. Last season, United and Liverpool played out a 0-0 draw at Old Trafford. Overall, the two sides have met on 202 occasions, with United winning 80, drawing 56 and losing 66 of the previous encounters.
FORM GUIDE
United will be looking to get back to winning ways after losing our last Premier League match, at Newcastle United, before the international break. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side can, however, take heart from our home record in all competitions so far this campaign: we’ve won four of our six fixtures at Old Trafford, losing one. Our last game in M16 saw us draw 1-1 with Unai Emery’s Arsenal, with Scott McTominay registering a spectacular effort which won our September Goal-of-the-Month award.
The Merseysiders have made a perfect start to the 2019/20 Premier League season, winning each of their eight games so far, to establish an eight-point lead at the summit. Jurgen Klopp’s side are currently on a 17-game winning run in the league stretching back to March, which includes away victories at Chelsea, Southampton, Burnley and Newcastle. However, they were defeated 2-0 by Napoli in the only European match they’ve played away from Anfield this term.
Jurgen Klopp has visited Old Trafford with Liverpool four times since being appointed manager in 2015, and is yet to win.
TEAM NEWS
David De Gea and Paul Pogba have been ruled out of contention to play by manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. De Gea was injured during Spain's draw with Sweden, while Pogba has failed to recover from an ankle problem. Ole seemed to suggest that Sunday's game could come too soon for Luke Shaw (hamstring), although Aaron Wan-Bissaka (tonsilitis) and Anthony Martial (thigh) may feature. There has been no update on the progress of Jesse Lingard and Phil Jones, while Eric Bailly is still missing after undergoing knee surgery over the summer.
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker, who has been sidelined with a torn calf since the Reds’ opening-day victory over Norwich City, is in line to make a return to Jurgen Klopp’s starting line-up. Mohamed Salah could also feature after injuring his ankle against Leicester City prior to the international break. Joel Matip missed the win over the Foxes but may be in contention when the Merseysiders travel up the M62 on Sunday, suggested the German in his pre-match press conference.
“There are two more sessions to come from this afternoon and we have to see. Then we’ll make decisions, that’s how it is. Nothing is fixed,” said Klopp on Friday.
There is no update on Xherdan Shaqiri, while the only Liverpool player definitely ruled out is right-back Nathaniel Clyne. The former Southampton defender suffered a serious knee injury over the summer, and no date has yet been set for his return.
THEIR STAR MAN
Although Mohamed Salah usually takes the headlines, and Virgil van Dijk was nominated for a number of awards at the end of last season, Sadio Mane has often been the Anfield outfit’s most impressive performer. The Senegalese forward shared the 2018/19 Premier League Golden Boot with Salah and Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and has started this campaign where he left off, netting eight goals across all competitions.
WHO’S THE REFEREE?
Martin Atkinson will take charge of Sunday’s match, with Lee Betts and Constantine Hatzidakis as his assistants and Jon Moss as fourth official. Atkinson is one of the Premier League’s most experienced referees and is no stranger to this fixture: he was the man in the middle for both games in the 2014/15 season, and also officiated our last two visits to Anfield. David Coote will be the Video Assistant Referee situated at Stockley Park, with Marc Perry his assistant.
RIVALS WATCH
With club football resuming after the international break, there is a full programme of Premier League fixtures due to be played. Eight take place on Saturday, with ours the only game on Sunday. Sheffield United host Arsenal in the Monday night kick-off.
SATURDAY 19 OCTOBER
Everton v West Ham (12:45 BST)
Aston Villa v Brighton & Hove Albion
Bournemouth v Norwich City
Chelsea v Newcastle United
Leicester City v Burnley
Tottenham Hotspur v Watford
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Southampton
Crystal Palace v Manchester City (17:30 BST)
SUNDAY 20 OCTOBER
UNITED v Liverpool (16:30 BST)
MONDAY 21 OCTOBER
Sheffield United v Arsenal (20:00 BST)
All kick-offs 15:00 BST unless stated
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