Liverpool vs Manchester United - Predictions

Liverpool are looking to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table this weekend when they welcome rivals Manchester United to Anfield.

While seemingly one of the more straightforward meetings to call between the two sides, this rivalry always has the capacity to surprise.

Liverpool have a strong recent record in this fixture and Jurgen Klopp has generally enjoyed facing Man Utd in the past, losing just four of his 18 meetings with the Red Devils.

Man Utd also find themselves bereft of confidence after a hugely underwhelming first half of the campaign, while an extensive injury list has only exacerbated things for Ten Hag.

With their place at the summit of the Premier League table at stake, here is how Anfield Watch's writers think Liverpool will get on against Man Utd on Sunday.

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Sam McGuire: It should be a formality, shouldn't it?

Liverpool, top of the table and with a 100% record at Anfield, should be beating an inconsistent Man Utd team. Yet heading into the game, I'm nervous.

Form is irrelevant when it comes to this match. Last season, United went into the game at Anfield with momentum before being taken apart 7-0. We've seen a Liverpool team managed by Roy Hodgson give United a game at Old Trafford. You can't take anything for granted here.

Erik Ten Hag is battling to keep his job and if the players give that extra 10% to help their manager, then anything could happen.

I predict it'll be a much tougher game for the Reds than people realise.

Liverpool 2-1 Manchester United

Ewan Ross-Murray: I'm not sure there is a single Liverpool supporter who won't have a few butterflies in their stomach this Sunday, even if Man Utd are undeniably terrible.

Erik ten Hag's side have been woeful this season and will be without the likes of Harry Maguire, Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro for their trip to Anfield.

Meanwhile, Liverpool's key starters are all fit and the Reds have been putting points on the board even during subpar performances. Everything quite clearly points to a win for Klopp's men, but those nagging doubts are unlikely to disappear.

Still, I'm expecting a fairly comfortable Liverpool victory this weekend. Even if they don't manage another seven this year.

Liverpool 2-0 Manchester United

Liverpool are such clear favourites for this game that it almost feels like a trap.

United are in disarray, having been hammered at home by Bournemouth (tee hee) and then unceremoniously dumped out of Europe (double tee hee). They could also be missing as many as 13 players for Sunday's clash.

On top of that, United haven't even scored at Anfield since 2018 and then there's the ghost of last season's 7-0 hanging over this one. Even United fans are just hoping to get out of it without embarrassment.

However, there are reasons to be less optimistic from a Liverpool perspective. While the Reds are spreading the goals around pleasingly, none of Darwin Nuñez, Luis Diaz or Cody Gakpo has scored in any of the last five Premier League outings. Meanwhile, Alexis Mac Allister will be a big miss in midfield.

Liverpool to get the job done in front of the record crowd, but another 7-0? Probably not.

Liverpool 2-0 Manchester United.