Fixture: Liverpool vs Manchester United
Competition: English Premier League
Venue: Anfield, Liverpool, UK
Date & Time: Sunday, October 19, 4:30pm BST (15:30 GMT)
Coverage: Tune in to Al Jazeera Sport from 2:30pm BST (13:30 GMT) for pre-match analysis and live text commentary.
This weekend’s Premier League showdown features two of England’s most successful football clubs as Liverpool host Manchester United in a fixture loaded with history and high stakes.
After a strong start to the season, Liverpool have recently hit a rough patch under manager Arne Slot, who led them to the league title in his debut campaign last year.
Meanwhile, Manchester United continue to face mounting pressure under Ruben Amorim, who is nearing his first year at the helm amid inconsistent results despite some signs of progress.
Al Jazeera Sport delves into the significance of this clash, where both clubs-each boasting 22 English top-flight titles-find themselves navigating very different challenges.
Liverpool’s Form and Fitness Ahead of Manchester United
Following three consecutive defeats, Liverpool’s manager Arne Slot acknowledged the need for defensive improvements, emphasizing that “results don’t lie.”
The reigning champions had an impressive start, winning their first seven matches across all competitions, often relying on late goals to secure victories.
However, recent losses to Crystal Palace, Galatasaray in the Champions League, and Chelsea have seen them slip to second place, trailing Arsenal by a single point.
In the summer transfer window, Liverpool invested nearly £450 million ($604 million), breaking club records to sign Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz-both yet to open their Premier League goal accounts.
Defensively, the Reds have conceded two or more goals in over half of their league matches so far, a concern Slot highlighted ahead of the big game.
“We’ve played 10 games, winning seven and losing three, all by narrow margins,” Slot explained. “But relying on such fine lines isn’t sustainable. We must improve and respond accordingly.”
Liverpool’s Main Obstacles This Campaign
Last season’s hero Mohamed Salah has struggled to replicate his previous brilliance amid the squad’s tactical adjustments and new arrivals.
Slot pointed out the team’s difficulty in producing decisive moments and capitalizing on set-pieces, which were crucial in their title-winning run.
“Our chance creation has dipped compared to last year, partly due to opponents’ strategies, and we need to adapt,” he said.
“Reducing goals conceded is the first step. If the opposition scores once or twice, we must respond with three goals to secure wins.”
“Previously, special moments from our front three and set-piece goals were key. This season, those moments have been scarce, and conceding four goals from set-pieces is unacceptable for a title contender.”
Mohamed Salah has contributed to six goals in 10 appearances this season, a decent tally for many but below expectations for a player of his caliber.
In his last 24 matches across all competitions, Salah has netted only four non-penalty goals.#LFC pic.twitter.com/DA4Uqi9b7J– Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) October 7, 2025
Manchester United’s Outlook Before Facing Liverpool
Ruben Amorim, Manchester United’s manager, has expressed appreciation for the support from co-owner Jim Ratcliffe, though he insists it doesn’t lessen the urgency to improve results swiftly.
Ratcliffe publicly stated during the international break that Amorim deserves the full three-year contract term to demonstrate his capabilities despite a challenging debut season.
Amorim’s record includes no consecutive Premier League wins and just 10 victories in 34 matches, intensifying scrutiny ahead of the Anfield encounter.
“Jim often checks in with me, sometimes after matches, but football is unpredictable,” Amorim said at his press briefing.
“It’s reassuring to know the club’s leadership understands the process, which helps fans manage expectations. However, I don’t want anyone to think we have unlimited time-we must prove we can win now.”
United currently sit 10th in the league table, trailing Liverpool by five points after finishing in the lower half last season.
Recap of the Last Liverpool vs Manchester United Match
The previous meeting at Anfield ended in a 2-2 draw, marking one of Amorim’s standout performances since taking charge. Despite respectable showings against top teams, he acknowledges a psychological hurdle remains.
“The pressure to win every game at a big club is immense,” he reflected. “Sometimes, when expectations are lower, players perform more freely. We need to shift that mindset.”
Manchester United’s Recent Record at Anfield
United have not secured a victory at Anfield since 2016, and few anticipate a change this Sunday, even with Liverpool’s recent struggles.
“This is another opportunity to demonstrate our progress,” Amorim stated. “We must improve both defensively and offensively. Winning this game is essential.”
Head-to-Head Overview
This fixture marks the 218th competitive meeting between Liverpool and Manchester United. United lead with 83 wins, while Liverpool have triumphed 72 times.
The last league victory for United over Liverpool came in 2022 at Old Trafford, with goals from Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford, though Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah scored late to reduce the deficit.
Since then, United have lost three of five league encounters but did overcome Liverpool en route to their 2024 FA Cup triumph.
Liverpool Team Updates
Goalkeeper Alisson Becker remains sidelined due to a hamstring injury. On a positive note, midfielder Ryan Gravenberch has recovered from a minor injury sustained during international duty and is expected to feature.
Manchester United Injury Report
Lisandro Martinez continues his rehabilitation from a knee injury and is unavailable, while Noussair Mazraoui’s participation is doubtful.
Projected Liverpool Starting XI
Mamardashvili; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Szoboszlai, Gravenberch; Salah, Wirtz, Ekitike; Isak
Projected Manchester United Starting XI
Lammens; Yoro, De Ligt, Shaw; Amad, Ugarte, Fernandes, Dalot; Mbeumo, Mount, Sesko
