• Liverpool have won their last 11 home Premier League games against big six opposition.
• Liverpool are unbeaten at home in the Premier League since April 2017.
• Manchester United have won none of their three meetings with the current Premier League top four this season.
• Liverpool have played out three 2-1 victories in their last six home league games.

Rivals clash in high-stakes fixture at Anfield

Reigning champions Liverpool haven’t been at their scintillating best so far this season, but they ended an uncharacteristic three match winless streak with a dominant FA Cup victory last week and they have the talents to end Manchester United’s away day streak on Sunday.

Despite their underperformance, Jurgen Klopp’s side remain one of the favourites in the Premier League title race and would move top with a victory on Sunday, leapfrogging the visiting Red Devils as we near the halfway point of the season.

Ominously, almost all of their failures this season have come against the so-called lesser teams in the division, and you have to look all the way back to 2018 to find the last time they dropped points at home to a fellow big six side. That came in a goalless draw against Manchester City, and since then the Reds have 11 on the bounce at home to the traditional big six.

Red Devils fall short against big six opponents

Of course, you can’t ignore Manchester United’s tremendous away record since Project Restart. They have won 11 of their last 12 top flight trips and haven’t lost on the road since January.

Fittingly, that came against Liverpool and, once again, it’s important to take the quality of their opposition into account here. Manchester United’s 15 match unbeaten run on the road has seen them face just two big six rivals – a win at Chelsea in February and a draw with Spurs in June.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have undeniably shown their class this season, but they’re not quite on the same level as the likes of Liverpool or Manchester City. They were outclassed against Man City in the League Cup earlier this month and have failed to win any of their three meetings with the current Premier League top four this season.

Reds expected to triumph on Sunday

All things considered, it’s hard to look beyond a positive Liverpool result here. They haven’t lost at home in the top flight in almost four years and have won 25 of their 27 league games at Anfield since the start of last season. At these odds, backing them to close the gap at the top of the table looks fantastic value.

They’re unlikely to have it all their own way, though. Manchester United have scored in each of their last 27 competitive away games and Liverpool have conceded in six of their eight home league games this season. They have won by a 2-1 scoreline in three of their last six games, so we’re opting for that for our correct score prediction.

Sadio Mane is worth considering in the anytime goalscorer market as well. The Senegalese attacker has found his form in recent weeks with four goals in five appearances and could make the difference on Sunday

Liverpool injuries and team news

Joel Matip is unlikely to return in time to partner Fabinho at the heart of Liverpool’s defence, with either Rhys Williams or Jordan Henderson expected to deputise due to the continued absence of Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk.

Diogo Jota is still ruled out, leaving the hosts with the familiar front three of Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino.

Manchester United injuries and team news

There are no fresh injury concerns for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, with Anthony Martial reportedly fine to play despite picking up a knock in midweek. Victor Lindelof remains a doubt and, after some solid performances from Eric Bailly, isn’t likely to be risked.

Despite his fantastic performance in the centre of the park at Burnley, Paul Pogba is expected to move onto the left to make room for the more defensive duo of Fred and Scott McTominay, pushing Marcus Rashford onto the right with Martial spearheading the attack ahead of Bruno Fernandes.