Premier League team news and prediction: Liverpool vs Man Utd

Liverpool welcome Manchester United to Anfield this afternoon as they pair resume rivalries. The Reds could well be fourth by the time this game kicks off, but three points on home turf will see them end the gameweek back on top of the Premier League. 

Here, we run through all the need to know information ahead of today's massive Premier League clash, including team news, when and where to watch the game and predicted XIs. 

When is kick off? 

Sunday 17th January, 16:30 GMT 

Where is the match? 

Anfield, Liverpool 

Where can I watch it? 

Sky Sports Premier League / Sky Sports Main Event 

2020/21 So Far 

Defending champions Liverpool haven't been at their very best in 2020/21, and come into the game third after Leicester's 2-0 win over Southampton on Saturday night. Indeed, Jurgen Klopp has overseen just nine league wins after 17 matches this term. For context, Liverpool won nine of their opening 10 last season. A failure to turn draws into wins has been their issue, with Liverpool being held six times already, doubling their return from the entire 2019/20 campaign. They have scored more goals (37) than any other Premier League side, yet have found the back of the net just once in their last three matches and Klopp needs to get his attack firing sooner rather than later. 

In midweek, a 1-0 win over Burnley saw Manchester United go top of the Premier League for the first time in 1221 days. They'll be out to extend their lead at the top to four points at Anfield and maintain their superb away form in 2020/21, which has seen them drop just two of a possible 24 points. United (6.91) are the third best rated away team in Europe's top five leagues this season and while they have failed to win their last five visits to Anfield, they are perhaps the best placed side in England to end Liverpool's home Premier League dominance. 

Team News 

Jurgen Klopp will hope to have Joel Matip available for selection this afternoon. The Cameroonian has returned to full training having suffered an adductor injury in the 1-1 draw with West Brom and with Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez still sidelined, his return would be a huge boost. Naby Keita, and summer arrivals Kostas Tsimikas and Diogo Jota miss the welcome of Manchester United, but Thiago is set to finally make his Anfield debut following his signing from Bayern Munich. 

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's main fitness concern is that of Anthony Martial. The Frenchman suffered a scare at the end of the win over Burnley and Edinson Cavani is an option to spearhead the attack if Martial is unfit to start. Two of the Uruguayan's four United goals have come on Merseyside, so he has previous in Liverpool. Marcos Rojo and Phil Jones, neither of whom would have started, miss out through injury, while Victor Lindelof is a doubt, though the Swede has lost his spot at the heart of the defence to Eric Bailly. Facundo Pellistri recently tested positive COVID-19. 

Probable XIs 

Liverpool (433) - Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Fabinho, Robertson; Henderson, Thiago, Wijnaldum; Salah, Firmino, Mane

Manchester United (4231) - De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Bailly, Maguire, Shaw; McTominay, Fred; Rashford, Fernandes, Pogba; Martial

Key Battle - Mohamed Salah vs Marcus Rashford

Mohamed Salah leads the race for the Golden Boot having struck 13 times this season, but a three-game barren league run sums up Liverpool's goal woes in recent outings. The 4-1 win at an inexperienced Aston Villa side in the FA Cup will have been a morale boost for Liverpool and Salah, who netted in the victory. The Egyptian has scored just once in his five league meetings with United, though that came in this game last season, and he'll be keen to extend that record today.

Marcus Rashford has been rightly commended for his work off the pitch and that has not impacted his form on it. The England international provided the assist for Paul Pogba's winner at Burnley in midweek, his fifth this season, and it means he has had a direct hand in five goals in his last six league matches. In all, Rashford has had a direct hand in 12 league goals this season, 11 of which have come on the road, and there has not been an away league match that the 23-year-old has not contributed to a goal this season. Liverpool, you've been warned...

Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Manchester United