English football’s historic rivalry, Liverpool vs Manchester United will write its latest iteration when Ruben Amorim takes on Arne Slot on January 5.
It is the first time Ruben Amorim will face Arne Slot as the Man Utd manager, while Slot has already faced United once, winning 3-0 in the reverse fixture when Erik ten Hag was manager.
Liverpool and United couldn’t possibly be in more extremely opposite directions this season, with Slot somehow improving upon Jurgen Klopp’s run while Amorim struggling to keep the current squad afloat.
It has all the ingredients of a straightforward Liverpool win at best, and a Liverpool domination at worst for Man Utd fans.
Paul Merson has given his clear prediction for the game which promises to catch the most eyeballs on matchweek 20 of the Premier League.
Paul Merson’s Liverpool vs Man Utd prediction
Not many are giving United much of a chance, if at all, of getting a positive result against Liverpool, especially at Anfield.
Slot’s side have pretty much been perfect all season, their only loss coming back in September at home to Nottingham Forest. United are on a four-game losing streak on the other hand.
Merson said that Amorim’s way of playing doesn’t suit the current squad, especially due to a lack of ‘outstanding’ wing-backs, and Man Utd fans would be “very worried” about the trip to Anfield.
He said: “If Man United won at Liverpool, it would be the biggest shock of the weekend in the Premier League, whatever happens in any other result.
“That’s how far it’s gone. The only thing you can hope for as a Man Utd fan is a 0-0 result! I worry for Man Utd and if Liverpool score early, I dread to think what the final score could be.”
The referee for Liverpool vs Man Utd game hasn’t made things any easier for Amorim’s men but there’s a silver lining to it all…
Man Utd have nothing to lose against Liverpool
Amorim said before coming to United that he can’t play the same way at United as he does at times with Sporting in the sense that United are favourites for most games and can’t play like the underdogs.
If there was ever a game where he needed to bring that underdog mentality and flourish, it’s this one, because United have nothing to lose.
Nobody expects them to win and many probably expect them to lose quite heavily. Sometimes, that’s all that is needed to free the players to play their natural game and try their hardest.
As long as the players show fight and get into the game with some respectability, fans are unlikely to complain much, so resigned they are to this season being a write-off.
United played beyond expectations in the win at Manchester City and the form book often goes out of the window in derby games.
It’s true that United will start as huge underdogs but a couple of chances falling here and there is all that’s needed to turn the tide. United have to believe because if they don’t, then the millions of fans might as well not bother turning up either.
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