Liverpool will face rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford this Thursday night in the Premier League with an awful lot on the line for both teams. The Reds are in sixth place, only two points above bitter rivals Everton in eighth. And they are seven points behind fourth-place Chelse with four games in the season remaining. United’s spot in second is basically secure, but they’ll still bring the fight to try and win this game.
We’ll see how Liverpool cope without center back Ozan Kabak, who has proven to be starting-caliber for the Reds since joining from woeful Schalke, as the injuries continue to pester this unlucky squad. Here are three keys to victory for Liverpool at the Red Devils’ house.
Contain Edinson Cavani in the box
Edinson Cavani is a man in form for Manchester United and is finding new life in the Premier League since joining this winter. The former Napoli and PSG superstar is still a highly effective striker, and he remains one of the world’s finest when it comes to finding space. Check out the goal he scored from Marcus Rashford’s assist this weekend.
Liverpool will start the promising Nathaniel Phillips at one of the center back positions, and either Rhys Williams or Fabinho will start next to him. No matter who plays, the task will be gargantuan. Tracking Cavani and containing one of the league’s most experienced and intelligent strikers.
If Liverpool can achieve this, they stand a chance. But if they lose sight of Cavani even for an instant, that can easily be a goal for United.
Make use of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s early deliveries
There are few finer passers of the ball from wide positions than Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has firmly established himself as one of the very best right backs on the planet. “TAA” will have a tough matchup in the resurgent Luke Shaw, who is finally starting to live up to his potential.
But there should be space on that right-hand side in the middle of the pitch. Alexander-Arnold has prime real estate to send in crosses without much pressure to Roberto Firmino, who can then knock it down to Mohamed Salah. Or he can finish it himself with his astute heading.
Liverpool have been struggling for goals beyond Salah due to down years in front of the net from the other members of the starting front three, but Alexander-Arnold’s chance-creation is still an asset that can help coax a goal or two from the Reds this week.
According to WhoScored.com, Alexander-Arnold currently leads Liverpool with two key passes per game. That’s a fantastic number for a right back, and it’s something that could pay dividends against United. TAA only has five assists this season – for him, that’s a low number – but I wouldn’t be surprised if he bags a sixth at Old Trafford.
Liverpool need to convincingly win the midfield battle
Liverpool signed Thiago Alcantara this summer in order to create superiority in the midfield and retain the Premier League over Manchester City. The Bayern Munich club legend was one of the world’s most prolific midfielders at controlling games and dictating play, on par with Toni Kroos before the 2020-2021 season. But Thiago’s reputation has slipped in his first year in a new league and with a new club that is experiencing some pains in this difficult season.
Thiago hasn’t been at his best, but he remains one of the world’s best. And his quality does shine through in some matches. Meanwhile, Gini Wijnaldum is another highly regarded player who hasn’t found consistency but could be clutch against Manchester United. The third man in midfield for Liverpool could be either Fabinho or James Milner.
No matter how you spin it, the Reds should have the better midfield on Thursday night. Fred and Scott McTominay are decent players, but they just don’t have the quality on the ball – especially not McTominay, who does not make the sharp decisions that Thiago and Wijnaldum do – to cope with a Liverpool midfield at its best.
In order to relax the pressure off a defense that will face an in-form Cavani, the world-class Paul Pogba, and the ever-dangerous Bruno Fernandes, Thiago and Co. must take control of the game. They must be crisp in their distribution and uncompromising in defense.