Liverpool vs Manchester United: Preview, Odds and Betting Tips - 17/12/2023 (Premier League)

Liverpool vs Manchester United takes place on 17 December 2023.

The Super Sunday fixture is not being looked forward to by any Manchester United fan. However, Liverpool fans are expecting a masterclass from their team, who are now closer than ever to their 20th top-flight title in history.

Both teams had started shakily but while Liverpool have drastically improved, Man United have drastically lost the plot. The stats and awards flatter United because their showings on the pitch is of a mid-table side that could drop into a relegation dogfight.

Jürgen Klopp, after the struggles of last season, has evolved into a new manager. This is the secret to Liverpool's success.

The man known for his “heavy metal” style of football, or “gegenpressing”, which involves massive, speedy counterattack patterns and compact defending, has now become a generalist. He adapts to each team and takes each match as it comes. This is how he has made the best of a squad that is relatively new and still coming together.

Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister have been used all across the midfield despite replacing Fabinho and Jordan Henderson whose roles were defined. Cody Gakpo, who was to be used as a false 9 in the mould of Roberto Firmino, has been deployed more times in the midfield this season while he uses an out-and-out striker, Darwin Nuñez.

His counterpart, Erik ten Hag, has chosen to stick to his guns. The problem, however, is that his speciality is not defined. There are no clear patterns in his setup and teams have found many loopholes in them.

In the midst of the chaos, however, United have found a dependable man in Harry Maguire. The English centreback has now gone from villain to hero and is the club's best player at the moment.

Scott McTominay is also picking up form in front of goal which gives the Red Devils hope in attack. This is not enough, however, and all the pointers indicate that there could not be a worse time for Man United to face Liverpool.

Depending on the feeling around United's leadership circles, this could be ten Hag's final chance. Let us take a look at their form guides to see how they will fare against each other.

Form Guide: Liverpool

Liverpool have not been at their best in the Premier League, to be fair. However, the real-time adaptation that Klopp and the team is undergoing has helped them grab on to top spot with scrappy wins.

Four wins and a draw is their record from the last five. Brentford are the only team they beat in this period with less stress.

Their defence is also shaky this season and the right attack can punish them. Their goal difference, however, is a testament to how they are able to recover and regain defensive composure despite their shakiness at the back.

They have fared much better outside the Premier League, however, but this may not make much of a difference when they come up against Manchester United. Yet, a win in their Europa League tie in midweek to officially seal top spot in their group and progress to the next round could do wonders for their confidence coming into Sunday's match.

Form Guide: Manchester United

It is worth noting that Manchester United will either be buoyed by their escape from UEFA Europa League football or an early exit from European competitions, or they will be downtrodden by their failures on the European stage.

In midweek, they will face Bayern Munich who will be fielding Harry Kane, a man who loves a match against United. This match would be pivotal to their game against Liverpool.

As for how they have fared in the Premier League, three wins and two losses is a fair run from their last five games leading up to their Liverpool clash. The problem is in their manner of losing, especially in their last match which was against a struggling Bournemouth.

Their last outing against Liverpool is also one for concern. The Reds thrashed them 7 - 0 at Anfield, the venue of this weekend's clash. Their last four Premier meetings have also ended in three losses and one win for them, with the aggregate scoreline being 17 - 2.

What to expect from the match

Liverpool will welcome Manchester United to the loud and intimidating atmosphere at Anfield and get to work immediately.

Manchester United will struggle even more with the absence of Bruno Fernandes thanks to his petulant behaviour that saw him get suspended.

For the Anfield clash, they could, however, enjoy the creativity of Christian Eriksen in the Portugal midfielder's place but the Red Devils do not have the running of the Reds which could nullify the chances that the Dane can create.

Liverpool, however, do not have the best form against the big sides this season. While they have only lost to Tottenham Hotspur among the teams they have played, they have struggled and ten Hag will look to capitalise on this.

Liverpool could also be less intense because of their Thursday clash in the Europa League, a trip which will see them travel all the way to Belgium to return on Friday ahead of their Super Sunday clash.

The expectation remains the same, however: a total Liverpool masterclass over a team they have scored 17 goals against in their last four games.

Betting predictions

Mo Salah goal or assist

Mohamed Salah has been a constant thorn in the flesh of Manchester United for some time now. He will continue to be so as long as he is in peak form. His output has dipped a little but Reds fans can still count on his ability to show up against Manchester United with either a goal or an assist. In fact, many punters will be thinking about the number of goal contributions he will have in the game instead of if he will score against Manchester United at Anfield.

Over 2.5 goals

Bournemouth, a much weaker side, put threw past Manchester United at Old Trafford. The last Liverpool vs Manchester United match ended in a 7 - 0 thrashing. The scoreline of their last few games is very hard to ignore. Liverpool have also featured in games with an average of three goals three times in their last five games as well, making it a safe bet to include an Over/Under selection in your slip.

William Hill is offering 1.40 for at least three goals to be scored.

Liverpool straight win

Jürgen Klopp’s team is building serious title charge momentum. A game against Manchester United with all the history that accompanies it is just what they need for a morale boost. Glory is at the end of the tunnel for the Reds who have now gone two points clear at the top and have their perennial nemesis Manchester City all the way down in fourth place and four points below. This will see them go all out for a win, with only the intensity levels called to question.

William Hill is offering 1.50 for the Reds to win.

All odds are via William Hill and all info valid as of the time of writing.

Odds could differ now.