The North West Derby is one of the oldest derby in football’s history, one which football fans across the world could not afford to miss. Although, many have been skeptical if this derby still live up to the hype, most especially with the recent retrogression of Manchester United.
Heading into this Sunday’s feature of the derby, we take a look at the performance of the two teams so far this season in the league, who will miss out and their probable line-up.
Manchester United lies on the 12th position on the league’s log with 9 points, winning just 2 of their 8 matches played so far, scoring 9 goals and conceding 8 goals in the process. They’ve managed to keep 2 clean sheets.
Liverpool on the other hand sits at the top of the log with 24 points, winning 8 out the 8 matches played, an 100% record, scoring 20 goals and conceding 6 in the process. They’ve also managed to keep 2 clean sheets in the process.
Having confirmed that De Gea and Pogba will not be available for the Sunday clash due to injury, the chances of united winning the game just got slimmer. Pogba, who scored the highest goal (13), had the highest assist (9), had the most passes (2,068) and the most shots (105) for United last season will be mostly missed. His absence for most of their matches this season is evident in their woeful outcome while going forward on the pitch as 30% of their total shots have been on target this season, having a goal ratio of 1.13 goals per match compared to last season’s 1.67 goals per match from 43% shot on goal ratio percentage.
Liverpools 2.5 goals per match from 37% shot on target ratio this season shows how prolific their forwards are and containing them will be a big burden for the united’s defence.
Liverpools only injury concern is whether or not Alisson will be fit for the Sunday clash with Salah already confirmed fit.
PROBABLE LINEUPS
MAN UTD-: Romero, Wan-bissaka, Young, Maguire, Tuanzebe, McTominay, Pereira, James, Lingard, Martial, Rashford.
LIVERPOOL: Alisson, Arnold, Robertson, Van Dijk, Matip, Fabinho, Wijnaldum, Henderson, Salah, Mane, Firmino.