From the sublime to the ridiculous, Manchester United experienced a night of highs and lows as they recovered from a two-goal deficit to take the lead against Chelsea, only to concede twice beyond the 99th minute and lose in a thrilling seven-goal encounter. This defeat marked the latest a team has ever been leading a Premier League match and gone on to lose, and it could have a detrimental effect on the team’s morale as they prepare to face bitter rivals Liverpool for the second time in a month.
A repeat of the famous FA Cup clash in March, where United emerged victorious with a 4-3 win after extra time, could be precisely what Erik ten Hag, the United manager, needs as his job hangs in the balance. The Red Devils currently find themselves a staggering 11 points adrift of the top four, but what is more concerning for ten Hag are the dreadful performances that have led to United conceding more shots in 2024 than any other team in Europe’s traditional top-five leagues, ahead of the upcoming weekend.
Liverpool’s Formidable Challenge
On the other hand, Liverpool is experiencing no such troubles. Their 3-1 victory over Sheffield United propelled them back to the summit of the Premier League with just eight games left to play. However, on paper, their visit to Old Trafford is one of the toughest challenges they will face for the remainder of the season. This is particularly true considering that Jürgen Klopp’s men have only won two of their last 12 visits to Old Trafford, with four draws and six losses. Furthermore, their only victory against ten Hag’s United was their memorable 7-0 triumph at Anfield in March 2023, with one draw and two losses in other encounters.
With Liverpool now favored to secure their second-ever Premier League crown, anything less than a win against their beleaguered rivals could prove fatal to their aspirations of a treble in Klopp’s swansong season. Despite their defeat in the previous head-to-head clash last month, the traveling contingent of Liverpool fans will be confident. Only the two North London clubs have managed to defeat the Reds in their league travels this season (with eight wins, four draws, and two losses). Additionally, no other team in the division has rescued more points from losing positions than Liverpool, amassing an impressive 26 points.
Players to Watch
Two players to keep an eye on in this highly anticipated match are Antony from Manchester United and Alexis Mac Allister from Liverpool. Antony, who has often been considered a flop throughout his United career, displayed a glimpse of his potential with a magnificent outside-of-the-foot assist against Chelsea. He also found the back of the net in the previous FA Cup clash against Liverpool in March. On the other hand, South American rival Alexis Mac Allister has been in excellent form, scoring in four of his last five Liverpool appearances. Even in the game he failed to score, he created the winning goal.
Hot Stat: Manchester United has witnessed goals being scored in stoppage time in five of their last seven matches, further highlighting their rollercoaster ride in recent games.