Liverpool vs Manchester United preview: Wounded champions go in search of redemption against arch-rivals

Liverpool will set out to snap a three-game losing streak when arch-rivals Manchester United come visiting Anfield on Sunday.

With Arsenal due to play Fulham on Saturday, Liverpool could be four points off top spot at the start of play, adding more significance to the latest edition of English football’s biggest fixture.

Liverpool’s start to the season, which saw them win each of their opening seven matches, was lauded by many as the hallmark of champions, but there were evident cracks that have since been further exposed by recent results.

After labouring to a 2-1 EFL Cup victory over Southampton on September 23, Arne Slot’s men were beaten by Crystal Palace, Galatasaray and Chelsea seven days apart.

Off the back of a flurry of summer transfer activity that saw the reigning English champions break the British record twice, Liverpool currently do not look like a team ready for a title challenge and must put their house in order sooner rather than later.

Games against Manchester United have seen Sunday’s hosts produce some of their best football in recent years, although they have failed to win any of their last two home matches against this weekend’s opponents.

Despite having already played Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea, United’s trip to Anfield is arguably their toughest assignment of the season.

Still, Ruben Amorim’s men will head to Merseyside on a high after a 2-0 victory over Sunderland last time out thanks to goals from Mason Mount and Benjamin Sesko.

That was a third straight home victory for the Red Devils, who have, however, failed to win any of their four away games across all competitions, including a shock defeat to Grimsby in the EFL Cup.

A win on Sunday would see United come out on top in consecutive league matches for the first time since Amorim’s arrival in November, which could kick-start what has been a topsy-turvy campaign.

Alisson is nursing a groin injury and will not play any part for Liverpool here, meaning Giorgi Mamardashvili is set to continue in goal.

Stefan Bajcetic (hamstring) and Giovanni Leoni (knee) are also out of contention for the home side, while Ibrahim Konate remains a doubt.

Despite his slow start to life at Anfield, Florian Wirtz will be expected to come back into the XI for this one after coming on as a substitute against Chelsea last time out.

Lisandro Martinez is making huge progress towards returning to action from a knee injury, but Sunday’s game is expected to come too soon for the Argentinean.

Noussair Mazraoui has missed each of United’s last two matches with a thigh injury and is unlikely to take to the field for the away side here.

Liverpool Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Mamardashvilli; Kerkez, Van Dijk, Konate, Frimpong; MacAllister, Gravenberch; Gakpo, Wirtz, Salah; Isak

Manchester United Predicted XI (3-4-3): Lammens; Shaw, de Ligt, Yoro; Dalot, Bruno, Casemiro, Dorgu; Mbeumo, Cunha, Sesko