Should United be considered favourites going in to Sunday? (Tactical Analysis)

Raees

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The more I look at this game tactically, the more it seems that if both teams play close to their full potential - United should have the edge. For me the loss of Matip is huge, and we saw against Spurs - how close Jose's men were to exploiting the weaknesses down Liverpool's right flank. If we move Rashford back to the left, he can perform that Son-like role better than most.

Pogba has played himself back into contention and it makes sense to accommodate him rather than Martial who is not really adding anything in terms of goal output or general play at the moment. Having said that, he should never be trusted in deeper lying areas against good opposition so a diamond, with him on the left seems a good bet to try and frustrate the opposition and get a goal on the counter or via a set piece.

Physically Liverpool should have the edge, as they haven't played much recently but emotionally they are not on the same high that United are on. Furthermore this is the 6th season of Klopp's tenure... now injury has obviously hurt his team badly and COVID has knocked the stuffing out of most teams, but in his previous management tenures it was around this time his teams began to struggle and he was soon handing in his P45.

A United win here would be a massive psychological blow for their team and potentially make the Scousers second guess themselves in the run in and also their general direction going forwards.

Your thoughts? What key tactical battles do you expect to see and what will be the defining moments on Sunday...
 

Crackers

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I said I'd shave my head if we win the league, I feel like I've jinxed myself, but I think we'll do them
 

Pexbo

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Short answer: yes, only, no.
 

mav_9me

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I don't think so.

I have only one tactical input. We need to play Rashford against TAA. Thats all.
 

Herschel Krustofsky

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Interestingly saw Ian Rush spouting on about the pressure all being on us and thought he was demonstrating the exact opposite.

I dont expect much from Sunday, not as if previous recent games have been anything special, but don't feel any anxiety.

In my world, dippers have the most to lose and thickets like ole big nose are demonstrating that in the media.

If some of that trickles down to their team even better, I'm still not convinced they're over bottling the odd big occasion
 

Longshanks

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Liverpool are favourites but there is not much in it.

Leave martial on the left and rashford on the right if martial is fit. Thinks it gives us our best chance of exploiting liverpool's marauding full backs and high defensive line.

The big tactical decision is the shape and make up of our midfield do we drop pogba and matic for mcfred? Do we keep pogba in the pivot alongside one of mcfred? Do we drop cavani and go with a 3 of mcfred and pogba with bruno playing as a false 9? I think it will be the last one but at the same time playing a proper CF will give liverpools makeshift CBs alot to think about especially if we can get martial and rashford running behind the full backs dragging the CB's out of position.

I suspect it will come down to who is actually fit and how brave Ole is feeling on sunday.
 

DickDastardly

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I would definetly drop Martial, i think he's not in the moment at all, seems lost out there and it's not something we need right now.

We also HAVE to play Rashford in his preferable position, from the left. That would mean either going with Cavani in a two CF, or playing one of Greenwood/James from the right side in a 3 forwards tactics.

As daft as it might seem, both Cavani and James work really hard. They run their socks off in pressing defence players, and we are gonna need that in sundays game. So, playing them would be a good move.

If we play it smart, keep low - one good counter attack and there we are - a goal up at Anfield.
A position in which Liverpool don't won't to be.
Leaving them going for the goal even harder and leaving more space for Rashford.

Playing everyone with their minds right - in the game, that's going to be crucial for us to get any kind of result.

We need tenacity, fight and sharp minds.
 

tenpoless

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Misread the title as "Sheffield United be considered favourites" and wondered what the heck is going on

Anyway we're not favourites. It's a 50:50 game and I expect a cagey match. Both sides are more likely to play more conservatively - Liverpool with all their injuries and ManUnited as an away team (Pool has a good home record). Anyone expecting an exciting match probably ends up disappointed, boring game all around. 0-1 United win from Bruno penalty.
 

Irwin99

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Is Matip definitely out for them? Thought he had a chance?

I know people will rightly focus on Liverpool's centre backs but I feel the full backs for both teams could be key from the defensive perspective. AWB and TAA both have obvious strengths and weaknesses. If they can pull AWB about positionally then they'll get a lot of space down that flank but as we've seen before Rashford can wreck TAA.
 

Raees

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I predict an easy win.
Dare I say it but it could be a game similar to that in 08/09, where they tore us apart but we ultimately won the war. We could win this and it fires them up to go on and win the league.
 

TMDaines

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No. United have been woeful in these big domestic games recently and Liverpool’s record at home is incredible. They are well rested and have that extra motivation now with us pinching too spot. Liverpool to win comfortably to nil for me.
 

Yagami

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No. Even at our best against struggling Liverpool sides we pretty much always got dominated at Anfield. Only exception is Juanfield.

They're rightly the favourites but we have a chance.
 

horsechoker

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I think you have to give credit to Ole.

Jürgen Klopp was a professional player in the Bundesliga and managed a team to the Champion's League final before Liverpool.

Ole has a background in physical education but now competes at the same level as managers like Klopp.
 

RuudTom83

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An empty Anfield should hold no fear tbh. United are great away from home this season, so an away win wouldn’t be a surprise.
 

wolvored

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Liverpools home form has been phenominal for a long time. We have had a great run in away games. We are the away team to the top team in England so we are the underdogs. Look at the bookies betting. No one has got us as favourites and the bookies rarely are on the losing side.
Saying that I have a feeling we will win 2-1. I would drop Martial, play Rashford on the left, Cavani up top and try VDB. Him and Fernandes could cover RM and he is an option to get into the box. Greening is off form, but could come on if we are chasing the game.
Dont know whether Ole would go Pogba and Matic or go safer with Fred and McTom. Dont think you can really drop Pogba after his form lately though.
 

cyril C

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Here we go again. A few wins we are King, 2 loss then everyone shout at the Manager, Sack the manager, sell half of the squad.

We always play with cautious at away game, except against Turkey when we can send 9 players into the box.

Respect your opponent, we might get something out of the game, otherwise cold bucket of water is waiting.
 

Yakuza_devils

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Tactics, form, recent records all will be out of the window for this match. It's always a 50-50 game any time we meet.
Nobody can predict this game especially now where both team look equal and could be anyone game.
Just enjoy the game!

For me personally, I will be happy if we get a draw. But I think it will be a cagey game of draw or either team could nick a 1-0 win.
 

U.N.C.L.E

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I predict the refs will play their part in the outcome. Klopp is in their heads and they are keen to shake off the “legacy” of Sir Alex (even years later!).
 

lex talionis

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“Full potential” is the key stipulation.

If every one of our starters — and I’m looking at you, Anthony Martial — plays to their full potential, we’ll beat this Virgil-less Liverpool side.

But when was the last time we really had all cylinders firing? You’d have to go back to the Ferguson era for that.
 

Eyepopper

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We're massive underdogs going into this game, Liverpool are the reigning champions, and look at their home record? Regardless of injuries theres no way we're winning there.

I hope all that provides motivation to us, I'd love nothing better than for us to end their home run, but right now a draw would be a massive result.
 

city-puma

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I think all of those talks of pressures are completely non-sense and we cannot even have a little bit of those in players’ minds; otherwise, it will be a disaster incoming!
The team just needs to stay calm and go for it fearlessly. I know it’s not easy but the coaching team must prepare it well.
I remember I have read somewhere Ole has restructured the sports science/technology teams and we also have sports psychological personals to help.
hope the team show a steel-like mentality. It’s an important game, and that’s it. Nothing more and nothing less.
 

city-puma

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We're massive underdogs going into this game, Liverpool are the reigning champions, and look at their home record? Regardless of injuries theres no way we're winning there.

I hope all that provides motivation to us, I'd love nothing better than for us to end their home run, but right now a draw would be a massive result.
I agree almost everything you said. But, I think record is to break. Let’s be the breaker.
 

Mr Smith

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I'm really worried about our vulnerability on the flanks if we play the diamond. It basically means we have no attacking threat on the right, and exposes us to Liverpool doubling up on our fullbacks. I think if we play that system our two forwards may have to play very wide, and have Bruno playing as effectively a false nine.
 

jeepers

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I'm really worried about our vulnerability on the flanks if we play the diamond. It basically means we have no attacking threat on the right, and exposes us to Liverpool doubling up on our fullbacks. I think if we play that system our two forwards may have to play very wide, and have Bruno playing as effectively a false nine.
I reckon this is how we will set up.

Pogba will also push up. Question is whether McFred will play, or either one to pair with Matic to do the closing down whilst we keep Matic’s composure from deep on the pitch.
 

PieCrust

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No way should United be considered favorites. Have to prove it first. Being top after 17 matches is great, but ultimately means very little.

Liverpool, unfortunately, have earned their current status through performances and trophies.
 

lysglimt

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United haven't beaten any of the top teams this year
Liverpool haven't lost at home for 67 matches

But this is the kind of game where we can beat Liverpool if either Pogba or Bruno + one of our attacking players have a really good game.
 

cyberman

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I think so. Their weaknesses play into our strengths alnost perfectly for the game.
If it were the other way about we would be shitting themselves doe this game.
Hell Liverpool fans were post Southampton until bravdo and pride sneaked up on them in the build up
 

Borys

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No. With our poor record against big teams, and Liverpool great home record, 1 point would be good.

Once the game starts, all those calculations will be thrown out of the window anyway.
 

red thru&thru

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We should not be considered as favourites, however, we should be getting a result against them!
 

InfiniteBoredom

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We have been awful in big games all season and just got dicked by City on our own turf.

Liverpool has been unbeaten at home for a gazillion matches and has won most of their big games so far emphatically.

There’s no reality in which we are ‘favourites’ going into this match.