Match Overview:
- Teams: Liverpool vs. Manchester United
- Competition: English Premier League
- Venue: Anfield, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Date and Time: Sunday, January 5, 2025, at 4:30 PM GMT (11:30 AM ET / 8:30 AM PT)
You can follow Al Jazeera’s live text updates and photo commentary for real-time coverage of the match.
Liverpool's head coach, Arne Slot, has expressed his belief that despite their struggles, Manchester United possess more talent than their current Premier League standing suggests. In light of this, Slot has confirmed that he does not intend to rest any of his key players for the highly anticipated clash at Anfield.
Weather Warnings
The UK’s Meteorological Office has issued an amber weather warning for the Merseyside region due to the imminent threat of snow and freezing rain. Forecasts indicate that up to 40 cm (15.7 inches) of snow may start falling late on Saturday and continue into Sunday, possibly affecting transportation and making it difficult for fans to reach the stadium. Concerns are growing over potential disruptions to travel, which could impact attendance at the match.
Current Standings
This pivotal matchday-20 encounter takes place with Liverpool currently leading the Premier League table with 45 points, holding a game in hand over their nearest rivals. They sit six points ahead of second-placed Arsenal, while Manchester United finds themselves in a precarious 14th place with 22 points, having suffered five losses in their last six league matches.
Team Form
Although Manchester United is not the formidable team they once were during Sir Alex Ferguson’s tenure, Slot’s confidence in their capabilities is noteworthy. When asked whether he planned to rotate his squad, he firmly stated, “No. Of course not. They have much better players than maybe the league table shows at the moment.” He acknowledged that it might take time for manager Ruben Amorim to unlock their potential, but he firmly believes that they are better than their current position indicates.
Liverpool, on the other hand, is in exceptional form, having won their last three matches and scored 14 goals during this stretch. They remain unbeaten in their last 14 Premier League games (11 wins, 3 draws), making them a daunting opponent. Mohamed Salah has been instrumental in this run, contributing to over half of Liverpool's goals, with 17 goals and 13 assists already this season.
Injury Updates
Liverpool’s Injury Report:
- OUT: Joe Gomez (hamstring)
- QUESTIONABLE: Ibrahima Konate (knee), Conor Bradley (hamstring)
Manchester United’s Injury Report:
- OUT: Mason Mount (thigh), Luke Shaw (foot), Victor Lindelof (unspecified)
- QUESTIONABLE: Marcus Rashford (illness)
Match Prediction
Should the match proceed despite the adverse weather conditions, it is expected that the elements will heavily influence play. Currently, there seems to be little chance for Manchester United to outwork and outfight Liverpool in their current form. A predicted scoreline is Liverpool 3 - 1 Manchester United, reflecting Liverpool's dominance in recent performances.
Zainab Y.
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