10 essential facts to know before Liverpool vs. Manchester United, with 57,000 fans expected at Anfield

Liverpool is returning to Anfield for the first time in four games, and they have no greater match than Man United, who will undoubtedly be under pressure.

It’s back to familiar surroundings for Jurgen Klopp’s team after three straight away journeys across three competitions; victory on Sunday will guarantee that they stay atop the standings.

While Liverpool 2.0 is receiving a lot of accolades, things are not looking so well at Old Trafford as bad performances and results keep piling up.

However, games like this always present a blank canvas, so the Reds must be prepared.

Here are ten things to be aware of before Liverpool vs. Manchester United.

1. 57K at Anfield!

Liverpool was given the all-clear to partially open the new upper tier of the Anfield Road Stand, and this Sunday will mark the largest Anfield crowd since 1977.

An additional 7,000 supporters will be permitted to participate, bringing the total number of attendees to 57,000, following a successful test event and the issuance of a safety certificate during the last week.

Even if not every seat will be occupied, it will be quite the spectacle! There is no reason why there shouldn’t be more spectators at this game.

2. No ‘new’ injuries

Alisson, Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Mohamed Salah were appropriately left in Merseyside by Klopp, while the others flew to Union SG on Thursday.

Dominik Szoboszlai, Luis Diaz, and Kostas Tsimikas all travelled but remained on the bench, and the Belgian team’s use of all five substitutions helped restrict the overall amount of minutes played.

The game’s biggest plus was that, according to the manager, “nobody got hurt,” which means that no more absences are anticipated.

Diogo Jota, Andy Robertson, Thiago, Stefan Bajcetic, and Joel Matip are all still in the treatment room with their different ailments, and Alexis Mac Allister has already been ruled out.

3. The United team is lacking ten players.

Under that heading, we not only refer to performance, but also to suspension and injuries.

Bruno Fernandes, Harry Maguire, Anthony Martial, Jadon Sancho, Amad Diallo, Christian Eriksen, Lisandro Martinez, Casemiro, Tyrell Malacia, and Mason Mount are among the at least ten players who Erik ten Hag will be missing for the trip to Liverpool.

Since Victor Lindelof just started training again earlier this week, he is still a doubt, but Ten Hag stated he will be able to use Marcus Rashford and Luke Shaw.

For the visitors, it is a diminished team.

Recent form

• Liverpool last 5 (L-R): L W W W W
• Man United: L L W L D

Possible United XI: Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Shaw, Dalot; Mainoo, Amrabat; Rashford, McTominay, Garnacho; Hojlund

4. Liverpool’s XI straightforward?

With some players resting for the last group match in the Europa League and others playing the entire 90 minutes, we received a pretty huge clue about the lineup for on Sunday.

Salah, Tsimikas, Szoboszlai, and Diaz will return, along with Alisson, Van Dijk, Alexander-Arnold, and Salah.

Wataru Endo will be used as the No. 6 and Gravenberch will likely start on the left side of midfield with Curtis Jones playing the entire ninety minutes in Belgium.

Even though it is improbable, we wouldn’t be shocked if Klopp decided to start Joe Gomez at right-back and move Alexander-Arnold into midfield.

Predicted Reds XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Endo, Szoboszlai, Gravenberch; Salah, Diaz, Nunez

5. There is a new club record at stake.

Amazingly, Liverpool has scored in 34 straight games across all competitions. A goal against Manchester United will bring that total to 35 and set a new club record.

The current record was just recently set in 2021, when Klopp’s team continued the streak from April to December.

Let’s hope that this goal-filled streak continues well into the new year, as it began in April with a 2-2 draw against Arsenal!

6. Tough test ahead for Liverpool 2.0

The manager is aware that Liverpool 2.0 will face a significant test during their first holiday season together and that his team has not yet achieved its peak:

It is always evident that a new group requires time to establish some stability when it comes together. That’s what we really missed at certain points.

However, thus far, things have worked out, and we must ensure that we continue to advance even during the most trying times.

“This bunch has never spent a December together, and in English football, December is the hardest month of the year. We must so demonstrate right now how far we have come in that regard.

7. Need we remind you of last time…

Look, Liverpool supporters are more aware than most not to make any assumptions going into this game, whatever of form, but we still derive a good deal of pleasure from the 7-0 thumping we suffered the previous time around.

We should make the most of this since Klopp was correct to label it a “freak result” and it is doubtful that we will ever see something like that again.

Liverpool defeated United 7-0 at Anfield, their fourth victory in five meetings overall. The Reds have won 16-1 overall in those games.

8. Mo to score, you can bet on it

It seems likely that Salah will score in most games, especially while against United.

With 12 goals in 12 games, the Egyptian has scored more goals against United than any other player in Liverpool’s history. This is also the most goals he has ever scored against any other team.

In fact, he has scored 11 goals in the last six games across all competitions versus the longtime rival. He is unstoppable.

Please give it more, Mo!

9. Touchline ref returns after controversy

The man in the middle for this matchup is Michael Oliver, who has overseen it four times, all of them at Old Trafford.

The real drama, though, will be on the sidelines when Dan Cook makes his Liverpool debut for the first time since his intervention in stopping Luis Diaz’s goal against Tottenham.

Let’s hope there is no controversy this time around because Cook was the assistant VAR for that match, and we all know the facts of the farce that happened that day!

John Brooks will be leading the VAR on Sunday, while Simon Long will be his assistant.

10. Follow the match live with us!

Kickoff between Liverpool and Manchester United is scheduled for 4.30 p.m. (GMT) on Sky Sports Main Event in the UK.

But as always, This Is Anfield’s liveblog will start at 3:45 p.m. and provide real-time information both before and throughout the game.

Reds, get into these!