Ex-Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov has dropped his prediction for the scoreline between Erik ten Hag’s men and Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side at Anfield.
Ten Hag’s struggling United side resume their Premier League campaign this weekend hot on the heels of their Champions League exit earlier this week.
Bayern Munich defeated United 1-0 at Old Trafford on Tuesday, with Ten Hag’s men crashing out of the Champions League after finishing bottom of Group A.
Ten Hag is under immense pressure over the Red Devils’ lacklustre form and lack of consistency, with speculation continuing to mount over his long-term United future.
The United manager will make the trip to Anfield without Bruno Fernandes in his starting XI, with the Red Devils skipper suspended for the Liverpool clash.
Ten Hag also has several players who have been marked as ‘potential absentees,’ including United forward Anthony Martial and Red Devils midfielder Casemiro.
Berbatov on Liverpool’s form ahead of United clash
Ten Hag will be without Harry Maguire for the Premier League showdown with Liverpool after the England defender limped off in the defeat to Bayern.
Luke Shaw also showed signs of discomfort in the first half against Bayern and the England full-back didn’t return to the field after half-time at Old Trafford.
Speaking ahead of the United vs Liverpool clash, Berbatov believes that Liverpool boss Klopp will be “smart enough to explore the weaknesses” of the Red Devils.
“When we talk about Liverpool, we talk about Mohamed Salah, and we talk about consistency,” he told the Metro.
“Salah is a Liverpool legend in his own right. The way he plays football and what it brings to the team while having a coach that understands you like Jurgen Klopp, then you will get results.
“Salah is the main threat for Liverpool, but they have many great players. Klopp is smart enough to explore the weaknesses of Man United in their form, and we know Liverpool will start the game like mad dogs, they’ll chase, bite, and probably score.”
Berbatov’s scoreline prediction for Liverpool vs United
Ten Hag has been frustrated with the lack of goalscoring output from United’s front line, with Rasmus Hojlund struggling to break his Premier League drought.
United are considered the underdogs going into their clash with Liverpool, with Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson giving Ten Hag’s men very little chance in his prediction.
Berbatov has predicted Liverpool to walk away with a 2-0 win over United, with the former Red Devils star unconvinced that Ten Hag’s side will score in the contest.
“Man United used to score goals when the opposing team needed to score to get a result,” he said.
“In the last two games, Man United have not scored. Now they play Liverpool, who have Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alisson in a world-class defence.
“I want to see Man United get into more goalscoring opportunities. I want to say Man United will score, but I think it may be too much for them this time.”
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