Liverpool face off against Manchester United in the Premier League on Monday night in what could be one of the matches of the season. Anfield is known for being at its best for late kickoffs during the week, going by their reputation on European nights, and Jurgen Klopp’s men will have another chance to take stock of where the German’s heavy metal football stands at Liverpool.
The fixture will mark Klopp‘s first anniversary at Liverpool, and it has been a joyride for the Anfield faithful all the while. There is a sense of optimism that engulfs the club, and recent results have even encouraged premature title talk in the corridors at Anfield.
In three matches against Manchester United last season after Klopp’s appointment, Liverpool have won, lost, and drawn in equal measure. Against Jose Mourinho in five previous outings, Klopp’s teams have won thrice including last season’s 3-1 win for Liverpool over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
It won’t be an easy match as games against Manchester United are seldom one-sided affairs, but Liverpool look to have enough about them to notch their sixth consecutive win on Monday.
Here are three reasons why:
Liverpool have momentum
Following is a comparison of both Liverpool and United’s past six matches in all competitions:
Liverpool: WWWWWD
Manchester United: DWWWLL
While the Red Devils have blown hot and cold in recent matches, and two of those wins came against Northampton Town and Zorya, Liverpool are the in-form team in the Premier League alongside Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.
Whether momentum itself can carry the Reds over the line on Monday remains to be seen, but it would take a terribly woeful display from the home side or a brilliant performance from the visitors to see Liverpool lose their winning streak. United haven’t yet clicked into gear as an attacking force despite the wealth of talent at their disposal, while Liverpool have scored goals from all across the pitch this term.
Klopp’s record in big games
Liverpool under Klopp love playing the Premier League’s big boys, and they have carried their impressive run of form into the current season, having already beaten the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, and Leicester City. Manchester United, despite their struggles in the post-Alex Ferguson era, still remain a dominant force in English football, and under Mourinho, they looked the real deal early in the season before tailing off somewhat spectacularly.
However, these are early days with 31 matches still left to play, and one can’t help but pin their hopes on Liverpool overwhelming United with their expansive, attacking football. The Reds have already scored a combined 11 goals past Arsenal, Spurs, Leicester, and Chelsea this term while United have had mixed results against the big teams.
Liverpool’s relentless attack makes them the favourites
If Liverpool’s 4-3 win over Arsenal was any example of what is to come from the Reds this season, United need to be wary of what might hit them on Monday.
In the game at the Emirates, Arsenal dominated the first half as the visitors were lucky to be level at the half-time break. But then came a 15-minute second half blitz where Liverpool blew away the Gunners with some breathtaking football.
Such explosive football has become Liverpool’s theme under Klopp, and the ability to simply overwhelm opponents remains their biggest advantage going into any game. The Reds are the league’s top scorers with 18 goals, the team with the most shots per game, and the best shots difference per game.
The law of averages states that Liverpool should find their goalscoring touch after scraping through against Swansea City last time out, and they also have a 100 percent record at their redeveloped Anfield.
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