This fixture has got managers sacked
A Manchester United visit to Anfield is always box office. The boiling cauldron on Merseyside becomes the hottest place in Britain. Fans and neutrals alike are left on the edge of their seats. Given the highs and lows of their fortunes over the past three decades, it’s easy to forget these are by far the two biggest teams in England, almost Premier League royalty.
The latest edition sees Arne Slot and Ruben Amorim face off with a lot to lose. Liverpool won all of their first seven competitive games this season, but then went on to lose the next three.
Lose another, especially against an ailing United, and things suddenly go from concerning to a crisis, with more pressure piled on Slot and his expensive new signings, especially Milos Kerkez and Florian Wirtz who have visible struggled.
The last time both teams met in February, Amorim’s first northwest derby, it ended in a stalemate. In fact Liverpool have only beaten United once in their last five meetings, the 3-0 humbling at Old Trafford that heralded the end of the rudderless Erik ten Hag regime.
They’ve drawn three times and United knocked Liverpool out in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, on their way to winning it against Manchester City.
The last time Liverpool beat United at Anfield was the 7-0 demolition in 2023. Their two meetings since then have ended in a draw. Is a third to follow?
Slot cannot afford to lose on Sunday, but neither can Amorim. The Portuguese earned some reprieve after his side secured a comprehensive victory against Sunderland before the international break.
It even had people wondering if he could indeed have a future at the club, as minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe seemed to say he did. One more loss and chaos is come again.
United have lost three times in seven games this season. Two of those have been against last season’s top three sides. They face the third of those teams this weekend.
What’s your poison? Make mine a Sunday blockbuster.
Team News
The managers will reveal more about their squads in Friday’s pressers, but goalkeeper Alisson Becker is a major doubt for Liverpool. Giorgi Mamardashvili was in goal against Chelsea and will likely reprise that role against United.
Ibrahima Konate pulled out of France’s squad last week and returned to Merseyside, but Liverpool believe the injury is not serious so the defender should feature. Ryan Gravenberch also gave some concern to Slot while on duty for the Netherlands but should be fine for Sunday.
Giovanni Leoni is still out long term, but every other player should be available for the Reds.
In the visiting camp, Lisandro Martinez is still recovering from surgery. Ayden Heaven sustained an injury while on duty for the England U-20s, and Noussair Mazraoui missed the last two games, although he may be in contention at Anfield. Everyone else is at Amorim’s disposal.
Predicted Lineups
Liverpool predicted lineup vs Manchester United (4-2-3-1): Mamardashvili; Frimpong, Konate, van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Salah, Wirtz, Ekitike; Isak
Manchester United predicted lineup vs Liverpool (3-4-3): Lammens; Yoro, De Ligt, Shaw; Mazraoui, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dalot; Mbeumo, Sesko, Mount
Date: Sunday, 19 October 2025
Kick-off Time: 4.30pm BST / 12.30pm ET
Liverpool vs Manchester United Match Prediction
Liverpool 0-0 Manchester United
