With the personnel they have, United cannot apply pressure to Premier League opponents, and we remain unsure of what Erik ten Hag can do with his current roster. In addition to their ailments, Darwin Nunez’s suspension from Liverpool won’t help their poor start. They are quite lacking in the front, despite the fact that Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah appeared active against Palace.
Whatever happens, you can be sure Jürgen Klopp’s team will at the very least outwork United.
The players for United may move around a little bit more this week than they did against Brentford, but they still need to show some passion. I don’t see it occurring until something occurs this week that causes the squad’s mind-set to alter.
Because that’s when Klopp’s team is at their best, the home crowd will be pushing them to take the game to Liverpool, and if they do that, they are in serious trouble. Last year, they defeated United 5-0 at Old Trafford, and this time it will go similarly, albeit I will give United a goal to give them a little boost.
MATCH FACTS
Man United
For the first time since 1986, Manchester United may lose its first three games of a top-flight campaign.
For the first time in fifty years, the Red Devils are attempting to avoid dropping five straight league games.
United is the only team to have, in the past, lost its first two games of a season before going on to win the Premier League championship in 1992–1993.
This season, Erik ten Hag’s team has given up six goals, all of which came in the first half.
The player with the most shots attempted in the Premier League this season (seven) is Cristiano Ronaldo, who has not yet scored.
Liverpool
For the first time since 2012, Liverpool has not won either of its first two Premier League games.
For the first time in their history, they could draw their first three league games of the season.
However, Jürgen Klopp’s team has yet to lose in any of their 21 Premier League games this season (W16, D5).
With one more goal versus United, Mohamed Salah will become the first player in Liverpool history to score ten goals.
In his last four matches against the Red Devils, Salah has scored eight goals.
