Mohamed Salah aims to continue Liverpool's incredible form against favorite opponents Man United: kick-off time, expected lineups and how to follow

Premier League leaders Liverpool host Manchester United at Anfield this weekend looking to maintain their incredible form.

Arne Slot's side They are cruising and have a six-point lead at the top of the table heading into this game, with one game in hand.

After a 5-0 victory at West Ham, the Reds now host their rivals united man which are currently going in the completely opposite direction.

life under Ruben Amorim It has not started as the club would have liked and, after four consecutive defeats, the Red Devils are in 14th place.

This leaves these two enemies going into this big clash with a clear favorite and there is no doubt that Slot will have his men well prepared for the occasion.

Liverpool vs Man United: No stopping Salah

Is Mohamed Salah The best player in the world right now?

It is very difficult to say otherwise and shows no signs of stopping.

After another two assists and a goal against West Ham, Salah now has 30 goals in just 18 Premier League games.

It is the fifth time he has been involved in 30 goals in a season, the most of any player in top-flight history along with Alan Shearer.

The Egyptian has also already set a new record for the most appearances registering a goal and an assist in a single campaign with eight.

And now he plays against his favorite opponent in Man United, so he could add to that record.

Salah has scored more goals (12) and provided more assists (6) against United than any other player in Premier League history.

5

• Liverpool have lost just one of their last 13 Premier League games against Manchester United (W7 D5), losing 2-1 at Old Trafford in August 2022.
• Manchester United have not won any of their last eight away league games against Liverpool (D4 L4), their longest streak since nine between 1970 and 1979.

Liverpool vs Man United: predicted lineups

Liverpool may just feel the need to make one change to their squad this weekend.

And that change will be forced as Joe Gomez will be sidelined for the foreseeable future with a hamstring injury.

Ibrahima Konate is close to returning to fitness, but this game may come too soon, meaning Jarrell Quansah should start at centre-back.

Ryan Gravenberg and Alexis Mac Allister He will likely start in midfield alongside Curtis Jones or the returning Dominik Szoboszlai.

Szoboszlai was suspended for the match against West Ham but could immediately return to the team after impressing so far with Slot.

In the top three, Salah will of course be on the right as he looks to continue his form.

The other two positions have been rotated quite frequently, with Luiz Díaz and Cody Gakpo being preferred to Darwin Núñez and Diogo Jota last time.

Diaz and Gakpo are expected to keep their places after goals in their last two starts.

5

• This is the first time Liverpool and Manchester United have met in their first league match in a calendar year since 1989, when the Red Devils won 3-1 at Old Trafford on New Year's Day.
• Liverpool beat Newcastle 4-2 in their first league match of 2024; The last time they won their first league match in consecutive calendar years was in 2013/2014.

As for Man United, they will be boosted by the welcome return of Bruno Fernandez.

Fernandez and Manuel Ugarte Both were suspended for United's defeat to Newcastle and will add some more quality to the midfield.

Both are expected to return to the starting lineup, with Ugarte potentially associated Kobbie Mainoo who was solid off the bench last time out.

Fernandes will probably be behind Rasmus Hojlund and next to Amad Diallo.

Alejandro Garnacho will continue on the bench alongside Mark Rashford who returned to the team on Sunday but appears ready for an exit.

At full-back, Noussair Mazraoui and Diogo Dalot will have their hands full, while Leny Yoro could return to defence.

Yoro will add some more rhythm along with Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martínez while André Onana remains in goal behind them.

Mason Mount, Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw are the three main absentees.

5

• Liverpool have won their last three Premier League games, scoring more than 3 goals in each victory with 14 goals in total. The last time they had a longer winning streak, scoring three or more goals in each victory, was in February/March 2014 (six in a row).
• Manchester United have lost their last three Premier League games. They have not lost four league games in a row in the same season since December and February 1979, while the last time they suffered four defeats in a row without scoring was in April 1909.

Liverpool vs Man United: What has been said?

Things got ugly at Old Trafford last time when United were beaten again.

While losing to Newcastle, Joshua Zirkzee He was substituted in the first half and the United fans responded by booing him and carrying him off the field.

Former Villa Aston Striker and talkSPORT presenter Gabby Agbonlahor believes the fan response It was 'disgusting'.

Agbonlahor said: “I didn't like it, I thought it was disgusting that some of the Manchester United fans were cheering him on the way out.

“He is a young kid, 23 years old, a new signing who has not yet settled in.

“New signings don't always go well on their first outings. “I just felt sorry for him.”

And he added: “I just didn't like it, it wasn't pleasant. There is no more shame than being substituted in the first half, it is worse than being a substitute who is substituted.

“Amorim will look back on that and think maybe it was a little harsh to take him out after 34 minutes.”

5

• Following their 3-0 victory at Old Trafford in the first leg, Arne Slot could become the second Liverpool manager to achieve the league double against Manchester United in his first season with the club, after George Kay in 1936. 37.
• Manchester United have scored just one goal in their last eight Premier League away games against Liverpool and have not scored in any of the last five. Only Everton have had a longer streak without scoring in their league history (6 between 1969 and 1974).

Liverpool vs Man United: how to follow

This Premier League clash will take place on Sunday, January 2.

Kick-off at Anfield is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.

The game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League.

Existing customers can watch TV coverage while fans can sign up to Sky Sports here or sign up for a NOW TV membership here.

talkSPORT will have regular updates of all the action live during the Sunday session.

To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 via the website, click HERE for the live stream.

You can also listen through the talkSPORT appon DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

You can follow the match on our live blog dedicated to the Premier League. here also.

See all the best free bets and betting offers from talkSPORT and our partners