Assessing the strength of Liverpool and MU before round 20
The match between Liverpool and MU on January 5th promises to be a dramatic confrontation between two rival teams from the North of England.
Below, we will evaluate the strength of the two teams, with current form, strength and factors that determine the ability to win.
Liverpool: A strong and stable team
Liverpool have been in sensational form this season under manager Arne Slot, ending 2024 in convincing fashion with a 5-1 win over West Ham, their fourth consecutive win in all competitions. Liverpool are currently 23 points clear at the top of the Premier League table, and are on an impressive 23-game unbeaten run.
With a strong attack, featuring stars like Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota, Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo, Liverpool are always a big threat in matches. They are capable of scoring goals regularly, aiming to score at least twice in their 12th consecutive Premier League game. Liverpool's defense, while lacking a few holes, still has the best home record in the league. Despite missing some key players like Joe Gomez due to injury, Liverpool have maintained stability thanks to the return of players like Ibrahima Konate and Conor Bradley.
Manchester United: The team in trouble
On the contrary, Manchester United coach Ruben Amorim is going through a difficult period. The team suffered its fourth consecutive defeat, the latest being a 0-2 loss to Newcastle on December 30. This is a bad streak, as MU is in 14th place and only 7 points above the relegation zone. MU's attack is also having problems, failing to score in the last three consecutive matches.
However, MU still has hope with the return of important players such as Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte, who will help improve the quality of the match. Marcus Rashford, although wanting to leave, has also returned to the squad after a short absence. But injuries to pillars such as Mason Mount, Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw are still a factor affecting MU's ability to play.
Head to head history and score prediction
Although Liverpool are in better form, the head-to-head record between the two teams is not too disparate. Liverpool have won just one of their last four meetings, with last season's game ending in a 0-0 draw. However, Liverpool's impressive 3-0 win at Old Trafford in September showed just how strong the team is.
Based on the current situation, with strong form and a stable squad, Liverpool is rated much higher than Manchester United. Reputable football sites predict a victory for Liverpool, with the score ranging from 2-0 to 3-0. Dak Nong Newspaper predicts Liverpool will win 3-1 against MU in the upcoming match.
The match between Liverpool and Manchester United is a promising confrontation, but with their superior form and current strong force, Liverpool can completely win. MU, although still has quality stars, but needs to improve a lot to be able to create a surprise at Anfield.