Who: Liverpool vs Manchester United
Content: English Premier League
Location: Anfield, Liverpool, England
Date and time: Sunday, October 19th, 4:30pm (15:30 GMT)
How to follow: Get everything ready on Al Jazeera Sports from 2:30pm (13:30 GMT) ahead of the live text commentary stream.
Liverpool take on Manchester United on Sunday as the Premier League’s two most decorated clubs line up in one of the highest stakes derbies in years.
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The Reds suffered their first failure under manager Arne Slott, who led the Anfield club to the Premier League title in his first year in charge last season.
The Red Devils have been under increasing stress since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013, and despite improved performances, Ruben Amorim’s results remain poor as he approaches his first year in charge at Old Trafford.
Al Jazeera Sports takes a close look at what seems like a must-win for both clubs, who have won 22 English top-flight titles and are now at contrasting crossroads.
How are Liverpool preparing for Manchester United’s visit?
Liverpool manager Arne Slott called for improved defense ahead of Manchester United’s visit, and said after suffering three consecutive defeats, “The results don’t lie.”
The Premier League champions won their opening seven games of the season in all competitions, but their poor performance was overshadowed by a string of late goals.
Liverpool lost to Crystal Palace, Galatasaray in the Champions League and Chelsea before the international break, leaving them one point behind title rivals Arsenal.
After storming to the title last season, Liverpool spent around 450 million pounds ($604 million) on new signings, paying club record fees for Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, neither of whom are yet to score in the Premier League.
At the other end of the pitch, Slott’s side have conceded two or more goals in four of their seven Premier League games.
“We’ve had 10 games, seven wins and three losses. Three losses were close,” Slott said in Friday’s pregame press conference.
“But as I have always said, we should not rely on such margins.
“Results don’t lie. If you lose three games in a row, you have to do better. We know that and we have to respond.”
What is Liverpool’s biggest challenge this season?
Mohamed Salah’s sensational form led Liverpool to the title last season, but the 33-year-old Egyptian has so far struggled to adapt to the changes made to the squad during the transfer window.
Slott pinpointed the lack of game-changing moments from their star-studded front line and problems with set-pieces.
“We didn’t create as many chances as last season, but there’s a reason for that – the opponent’s style of play. We have to find an answer to that,” he said.
“The first answer is not to concede as many goals as we do. If a team scores one or two goals, we need three.
“In the first half of last season, we mainly scored these goals from special moments from one of our front three players.In the second half we needed set-pieces against a low block.
“This season we didn’t have any special moments, we didn’t score from set pieces.
“Obviously conceding four goals from set-pieces is too much for a team that wants to compete.”
Mohamed Salah has been involved in six goals in 10 games for Liverpool this season, which is fine for most people, but would be considered an underperformance for a player of his caliber.
In his last 24 games in all competitions, Salah has scored just four non-penalty goals. #LFC pic.twitter.com/DA4Uqi9b7J
— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) October 7, 2025
How are Manchester United preparing for the trip to Liverpool?
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has welcomed the support of co-owner Jim Ratcliffe, but said it did not ease the pressure to turn the team’s fortunes around quickly.
Ratcliffe said during the international break that Amorim had had a difficult first year in charge but should be allowed the full three years of his contract to prove himself at Old Trafford.
Amorim has never won back-to-back Premier League games, with just 10 wins in 34 games since taking over before the Anfield clash.
That record puts him under pressure, but Ratcliffe, who appointed him last year, offered some reassurance in an interview with The Times last week.
“He always tells me, sometimes with messages after the game, but Jim and I both know that that’s not what football is about,” Amorim said at a press conference on Friday.
“I’m really happy to hear that. I think it helps the fans understand that the leadership understands that it’s going to take time.
“But at the same time, I don’t like it, because it gives the feeling that there is time left to figure things out. So I don’t want to have that feeling at the club. It’s good to feel support, but you have to show people that you’re ready to win games. I know it’s going to take time, but I don’t want to think like that.”
United, who finished bottom of the Premier League last season, are in 10th place, five points behind Liverpool.
What happened the last time Liverpool played Manchester United?
Last season, both teams drew 2-2 with Liverpool, which was perhaps Amorim’s most impressive performance since he took over as manager, and although there were some commendable performances against top clubs, the former Sporting manager says it revealed mental issues.
“Probably the expectation when you have to win and the responsibility of winning is much more difficult,” he said.
“When you play for a big club, you have to win every game. Sometimes it’s difficult to play with that responsibility on your shoulders. Maybe it’s easier for players to perform when Manchester United aren’t expected to win, but we need to change that.”
When was the last time Manchester United won at Liverpool?
United have not won at Anfield since 2016, but few expect that to change on Sunday, the 100th meeting between the arch-rivals at Liverpool’s ground, even if Liverpool have lost three games in all competitions.
“This is another game where we need to prove once again that we are playing better,” Amorim said. “We need to be better in both boxes. We have one more game to win.”
direct confrontation
This is the 218th time the two teams have met, with Manchester United having won 83 times, while Liverpool have won 72 times.
United last won against Liverpool in the league in 2022, when Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford put the hosts two goals ahead at Old Trafford and Mohamed Salah gave the Reds a late consolation.
Since then, United have lost three of their five league games, but beat Liverpool on their way to winning the FA Cup in 2024.
liverpool team news
Goalkeeper Alisson Becker remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, but the injury news is good news for Liverpool as Ryan Grabenbirch is fit to play against United despite being forced off with an injury during the international break for the Netherlands.
manchester united team news
Lisandro Martinez is still recovering from a knee injury and is not yet ready to return, while Nouser Mazraoui is doubtful.
Liverpool’s projected starting lineup
Mamadashvili; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkes. Schoboschlei, Grafenberg. Salah, Wirtz, Ekitike. Isaac
Manchester United expected lineup
Rammen. Yoro, De Ligt, Shaw. Amado, Ugarte, Fernandez, Dalot. Mbeumo, mount, sesco
