LIVERPOOL’S TROIKA EYES RED DEVILS SCALP

While hosts Liverpool will want to extend their run at the top of the table by notching up a victory over Manchester United, the visitors will be desperate to bridge the eight-point gap to crawl towards a top-four spot. HT takes a look at how the two sides are placed ahead of Sunday’s pulsating fixture:

Liverpool’s famous front

triad of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane have not managed to replicate their goal-scoring heroics of the previous season. However, they still have

scored 20 goals among themselves and will fancy their chances against a struggling United. Salah in particular would be buoyed by his match-winning strike against Napoli a few days ago and will pose a great threat to United’s defence. Unlike in the past when

defence was considered their Achilles’ heel, the Reds have been solid at the back conceding only six goals in the league so far with only one of those conceded at home.

A lot of credit for making

Liverpool’s defence watertight goes to Dutchman Virgil van Dijk who has been stunning at the back with his height and speed. Their Brazilian custodian Alisson has also proved to be a rock under the post.

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consecutive

draws the two could play out on Sunday, which would be a first since 1921

consecutive

games Liverpool are unbeaten in the Premier League — their joint-best run

consecutive

home matches Liverpool are unbeaten in the Premier League since April 2017

goals

United have conceded in the league so far, two fewer than what they had in the entire 2017-18 campaign Having conceded 26 goals in

the Premier League, United’s poor defensive play has cost them dear this season. Be it domestically or in Europe, they have let the side down by gifting away easy goals. They’ve managed just two clean sheets so far in the Premier League — joint lowest with West Ham United. They have drawn five games

in the league so far — the most in the top six. Failing to win games against the likes of West Ham, Crystal Palace, etc; have only exposed their mediocrity. Beating a top-level team has

now been a thing of the past for Manchester United.

In the Premier League this

season, they’ve lost 3-1 to Manchester City, 3-0 to Tottenham Hotspur, drawn

2-2 against Chelsea and Arsenal and will thus be a desperate lot to turn things around at Anfield on Sunday.

Played: Liverpool won:

Drawn: United won: