Manchester United – Liverpool, Prediction – Premier League

❌ Manchester United look so bad

Man United have a lot of problems and everyone comments on what needs to be improved, but for me the ever so popular phrase, the fish stinks from the head, applies here. Ever since Ferguson left United, this team has been a complete mess. Occasionally there have been good periods, but overall to date they’ve never found a manager that fits completely with the philosophy of the club, and I don’t think the owners have a clear vision of how they want the team to develop as long as they just make a profit from it. On the other hand, we’ve also seen huge investments over the years that haven’t panned out. It’s like United have no idea how they want to play and what players they need. At the moment you will see dozens of rumours in the media about all sorts of strikers who are wanted by Man U, just to fill numbers, which if it happens would be another ridiculous action by the club. It’s also the owners fault for buying Ronaldo, who is currently further infuriating the environment with his personal demands. The Red Devils started with two very poor results, but the problem is not the losses, it is that there is no confidence and no drive in this team. Even if we compare them to Liverpool years ago, at least with Liverpool there wasn’t a huge amount of money being spent and there were weak players and poor results, whereas here we have some of the biggest stars in football and still acting like a mid table team..

😐 Liverpool not doing well, too

At Liverpool the problems are of a completely different nature and not nearly as big but, still, a team that in the last 4 seasons finished with over 90 points 3 times started the season with 2 draws against a newcomer and a team that finished in the 2nd half of the standings last season. Many say “Well, Mane left and that’s why they are so bad”. Anyway, remember that Liverpool have lost even stronger players than Mane and still gotten by. The Senegalese will surely be missed as he was arguably in the club’s top 3 most important players, but that cannot be an excuse for the team’s poor attacking play. At the moment, Liverpool look relatively good only in defense. What is the reason? The reason is that in the midfield the team has a lot of players and little quality. The only world class players are Thiago and Fabinho, but Thiago is injured often and they are the only 2 creative midfielders. Others like that could be Elliot and Carvalho, but they are too young and not imposed yet. Personally I think Keita and Chamberlain are expendable as perpetually injured, Milner is seriously aged and captain Henderson should take an increasingly peripheral role. In attack Nunez won’t play because of a red card, Jota probably won’t either, Salah hasn’t been fit for a long time, Firmino for even longer and Mane’s replacement, Diaz, isn’t at the Senegalese’s level yet. I think the owners’ stubbornness to continue not wanting to spend money on new signings is crippling Klopp’s talent and hard work, as it’s extremely obvious that Liverpool need another classy attacking player, as besides Mane, Origi and Minamino have left, but most of all the team needs at least one midfielder.

⚽I expect a tense match

What we can be sure of before the game is that both 2 teams will be under immense pressure. For United, it’s clear the atmosphere there is heated to the max after that scandalous start. Liverpool, however, can in no way afford not to win the 3rd game of the season, after not winning the first two, against any opponent, in any stadium, except maybe with Man City at the Etihad. What I personally see as suitable bets against the odds given by the bookies is for goals. The line for Under 2.5 goals is quite high odds, and considering how Liverpool are playing in this game at Old Trafford, when they are under pressure and especially in this form, I don’t see them scoring many goals. On the other hand, I don’t see United being very effective either. My bet is Under 3.0 – Asian Goal Line at 2.02. and for me the real odds here should be no more than 1.70. Furthermore, I think there will be cards in the game and the 1.93 Asian line odds over 4.5 is also appropriate. What are your predictions for the big derby? Let us know in the comments below!