Man Utd vs Liverpool
Premier League 2018-19
Venue: Old Trafford
Date: Sunday, 24 February, 2019
Kick-off: 2:05pm GMT
Referee: Michael Oliver
Manchester United and Liverpool face off at Old Trafford on Sunday in what could be one of the key matches in the Premier League title race this season.
Liverpool sit second behind Manchester City on goal difference, but still hold their title fate in their hands by virtue of having a game in hand over the champions.
However, with Man City facing Chelsea in the EFL Cup Final on Sunday, Liverpool's game in hand also falls on the same day - and Jurgen Klopp's side face a daunting trip to Old Trafford.
While United trail Liverpool by 14 points in the table, the standings do not tell the whole story. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has won eight of his first nine League games as interim manager to make the Red Devils the top flight's in-form side, while Liverpool are still to find their top form in 2019.
Win at Old Trafford, and Liverpool would go three points clear with a huge confidence boost for the run-in. Lose, and it could well be a result Klopp and his men look back on as the turning point in the title race.
Premier League top six as it stands
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
| 1 | Man City | 27 | 21 | 2 | 4 | 54 | 65 |
| 2 | Liverpool | 26 | 20 | 5 | 1 | 44 | 65 |
| 3 | Tottenham | 26 | 20 | 0 | 6 | 29 | 60 |
| 4 | Man Utd | 26 | 15 | 6 | 5 | 17 | 51 |
| 5 | Arsenal | 26 | 15 | 5 | 6 | 16 | 50 |
| 6 | Chelsea | 26 | 15 | 5 | 6 | 16 | 50 |
Man Utd vs Liverpool team news and predicted line-ups
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been handed a major boost with Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard pushing to return from injury.
The pair were expected to be sidelined for up to three weeks after breaking down in the Champions League defeat to PSG earlier this month.
But both have responded well to treatment, with Martial expected to be fit enough to start against Jurgen Klopp’s title challengers after recovering from a groin strain.
Lingard is also fighting to be involved following a hamstring strain.
“We’re looking okay,” said Solskjaer. “I hope Jesse will be okay. It’s more hope than think. Anthony will be okay. They’ve got to get through these two sessions, but they have been doing some recovery work.
“Anthony’s was a different muscle. We think he might be ready and hope Jesse will.”
David De Gea will almost certainly return in goal despite Sergio Romero's assured performance at Stamford Bridge.
Solskjaer's only other absentees are Marcos Rojo (match fitness), Antonio Valencia (knock) and Matteo Darmian (muscular).
Man Utd XI: De Gea, Young, Smalling, Lindelof, Shaw, Ander Herrera, Matic, Mata, Pogba, Martial, Rashford
Dejan Lovren will miss out again for Liverpool. The Croatian has failed to recover from the hamstring injury that has kept him sidelined since the FA Cup defeat at Wolverhampton Wanderers in January.
However, Klopp’s defensive options will receive a significant boost with Virgil van Dijk set to return from the one-match European suspension he served against Bayern Munich.
That leaves long-term absentees Joe Gomez (leg), Rhian Brewster (knee) and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (knee) as the only other players to miss out.
Klopp has used midfielders James Milner and Fabinho to plug gaps in his backline during a recent injury crisis.
But with a fully fit back four now available, the German faces something of a rare selection headache in the centre of the park.
Milner and Fabinho must now compete with Georginio Wijnaldum, Jordan Henderson and the improving Naby Keita to earn a start at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Predicted XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Henderson, Wijnaldum, Salah, Mane, Firmino
Man Utd vs Liverpool referee
Referee: Michael Oliver
Assistants: Stuart Burt, Simon Bennett
Fourth official: Andre Marriner
Score prediction: Man Utd 2-1 Liverpool
There is enough attacking talent on either side to ensure a moment of magic could decide this game, but the respective menalities of the teams could end up being key.
Liverpool will likely go into the game with a must-not-lose approach, whereas United will be desperate for a win to dent their rivals' title bid.
United are also just a point clear of Chelsea and Arsenal in the race for a top-four finish, and home advantage may prove just enough.
Man Utd vs Liverpool tickets
For ticket information, click here to head to the Man Utd website. Liverpool tickets are currently sold out.
Betting tips via Betfair | UK users only | Subject to change
Match odds
- Man Utd to win: 2/1
- Liverpool to win: 13/10
- Draw: 5/2
First goalscorer odds
- Mohamed Salah: 9/2
- Marcus Rashford: 11/2
- Sadio Mane: 6/1
- Romelu Lukaku: 6/1
- Paul Pogba: 15/2
- Virgil van Dijk: 25/1
Click here to find the latest match odds and place a bet.
TV channel and live stream, and online coverage
The match will be shown live on Sky Sports' Premier League and Main Event channels, and is available via Now TV with a day pass on offer for £8.99. Sky Sports subscribers can stream the match online via SkyGo and the SkyGo app.
You can also follow all the action with Standard Sport's LIVE blog from Old Trafford.
Head to head (h2h) history and results
Man Utd and Liverpool have enjoyed a fierce north-west rivalry since 1894, when Liverpool beat Newton Heath - the original Manchester United - 2-0 in a Football League test match.
The teams have faced off 201 times in all competitions - United winning 68, Liverpool 56, and 46 draws - with Ryan Giggs making the most appearances (48).
The two sides have met 53 times in the Premier League, with United winning 28 times, Liverpool 14, and the teams sharing 11 draws.
Despite the December defeat at Anfield, United have won seven of their last nine League games against Liverpool, and have secured 10 of the last 12 available League points at Old Trafford.
