Start of the season and north-west derby
Liverpool play the second round in a row on Monday, and this time the central match of the tour against Manchester United was made.
Two games into the campaign and neither side has impressed. Liverpool held to draws by Fulham (2:2) and Crystal Palace (1:1). Manchester United started even worse, defeats from Brighton (1:2) and Brentford (0:4).
After two matchday Liverpool find themselves 12th in the Premier League table, while Manchester United are rooted to the bottom with zero points. I wonder what position Liverpool and Manchester United will take after the matchday 3. And who will take the first 3 points at the season.
The derby between these clubs always attracts the attention of fans around the world. This time, the problematic start of the season for both teams is of particular interest to the confrontation. I wonder who will handle the problems better. But I believe that in the upcoming match its guests will be able to confirm their level and win.
Liverpool beat Manchester United twice last season 9:0 on aggregate. Nice moment, but those games are in the past. Is that for the Red Devils these defeats can be an additional motivation.
Team news
For Liverpool, Roberto Firmino back into their squad for Monday’s trip to Manchester. Jurgen Klopp also confirmed Naby Keita is fully fit.
Liverpool have no fresh injury concerns ahead of the encounter with Manchester United, though a number of senior players – Joel Matip, Thiago Alcantara, Ibrahima Konate, Curtis Jones, Diogo Jota, Calvin Ramsay, Caoimhin Kelleher and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – are currently sidelined.
Darwin Nunez is also unavailable as he begins his three-match suspension.
For United, Anthony Martial has returned to training after missing their opening two games of the season due to a hamstring injury. Victor Lindelof, Brandon Williams and Facundo Pellistri are definitely out of Monday’s match with injury.
United announced an agreement to sign Casemiro from Real Madrid on Friday night, but the midfielder will not be eligible to face Liverpool.
Liverpool line-up
The defensive line-up is expected to be Robertson, Van Dijk, Gomez and Alexander-Arnold.
Fabinho and Jordan Henderson will definitely play in the midfield, and either Harvey Elliott or Fabio Carvalho will be the third.
In attack, the recovered Firmino will take a place in the center, while Luis Diaz and Mo Salah will play the wings.
Mo Salah scoring record vs Manchester United
Last season, Mo Salah became the first Liverpool player to score a hat-trick at Old Trafford since Fred Howe in 1936. And with five goals over the two meetings took his tally against Manchester United to nine.
One more of the net would see the Egyptian become Liverpool’s outright leading goalscorer against Manchester United. He is currently tied with Gerrard having played 25 games fewer.
Also Mohamed Salah (119) is third on the list of most Premier League goals for Liverpool. First on the list Robbie Fowler (128) and second – Steven Gerrard (120).
