Red-hot Reds head to Old Trafford

Premier League leaders Liverpool head to Old Trafford on Sunday to face Manchester United and rarely have the odds been so in their favour of an away win.

Liverpool have won just five times at United in the Premier League era and the Red Devils have won the fixture 16 times, but the gulf in quality between the sides has widened in recent years.

While Juergen Klopp’s side have a 100% record in the Premier League, United have just two league wins this season and after their 1-0 defeat by Newcastle United, they are down in 12th place, 15 points behind their arch-rivals.

To add to their problems, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confirmed both Paul Pogba and David de Gea will miss the clash at Old Trafford through injury.

De Gea pulled up with a muscle problem during Spain’s 1-1 draw away to Sweden in qualifying for Euro 2020 on Tuesday and is expected to be sidelined for a few weeks.

“David needs a scan,” Solskjaer told Sky Sports. “I think he’ll be out.”

Pogba was absent for France during the international break due to the recurrence of an ankle problem that has seen him start just once in the Premier League since August.

He played 90 minutes against Rochdale in the League Cup and Arsenal in September, but missed United’s latest defeat at Newcastle just before the international break.

“He came back and played a couple of games, maybe played through the pain barrier,” said Solskjaer.

“He had a scan after the Arsenal game and maybe needed a few weeks’ rest in a boot, so hopefully he won’t be too long, but he won’t make this game.”

Solskjaer is, though, hopeful Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Anthony Martial will make their return from injury against Liverpool, even if they are not yet fit enough to play 90 minutes.

“Hopefully Aaron and Anthony will last through the training this week and be available for selection. If it’s for half a game or 30 minutes, I don’t know,” Solskjaer said.

Argentine Sergio Romero will stand in for De Gea and can expect a busy time against Klopp’s potent attack.

Champions Manchester City face a tricky trip to Selhurst Park to face a Crystal Palace team who beat them at the Etihad in January. City are eight points adrift of Liverpool.

City have scored in 15 of their last 16 league matches against Palace, with a 0-0 draw in 2017 ending the champions’ run of 18 consecutive wins. Palace sit two points behind City in sixth spot after an impressive start to the season, but this fixture is the first of a straight run of five against sides directly above them.

Tottenham, beaten 3-0 at Brighton last time out, will look to bounce back against winless bottom club Watford.

Fourth-placed Leicester City host Burnley, who are seventh, and Frank Lampard’s improving Chelsea entertain Newcastle on Saturday.