Manchester United host Liverpool in the second leg of Europa League’s round of 16. The Red Devils will try to undo Liverpool’s two goal lead from the first game.
Liverpool have done more than half the job in the first leg. The Reds recorded a 2:0 victory and they could have scored some more if they were just a bit more concentrated in front of De Gea’s goal. Kloop’s troops are playing in a good form recently. They recorded four victories in a row, three of them in the Premier League (against Aston Villa, Manchester City and Crystal Palace) and the fourth one against Manchester United in the first leg of Europa League. It is no accident that the Reds started playing good when Sturridge returned to the field.When he is healthy, he is the player that brings a whole new dimension to Liverpool’s game.
Manchester United are having a terrible season under Louis Van Gaal. The Red Devils grabbed only seven points in the last five games of Barclays Premier League and Champions League spot is getting further away with every round. They are sitting in sixth place with four points behind the Citizens who are fourth, but with only three points and one game more than eighth placed Liverpool. Europa League is the last resort for United’s nightmare season, but it is hard to expect that Liverpool would drop a two goal lead.
Head to Head
These two rivals have met 178 times throughout their ilustrious histories. The Red Devils are more successful with 87 victories, against Liverpool’s 86. Manchester’s dominance is especially evident in the last four years where they defeated Liverpool in ten out of 14 games. Interestingly, neither of the last 14 games have ended in a draw or without goals.
Match Facts
- Man Utd are eyeing their fourth consecutive win at home
- Under 1.5 goals were scored in last two Man Utd’s game in the EPL
- Liverpool are eyeing their fifth consecutive clean sheet in the EL
- Juan Mata has been involved in eight goals in his last nine games against Liverpool in all competitions (three goals and five assists)
- Daniel Sturridge has scored five times and assisted another goal in his last seven games against Manchester United in all competitions.
Team News
Rooney, Valencia, Young and Shaw are still sidelined in the Manchester United team.
Klopp doesn’t have that kind of problems. Only Danny Ings and Lucas are absent because of their injuries.
Predicted Lineups
Manchester United: De Gea; Varela, Smalling, Bllind, Rojo; Carrick, Schweinstiger; Martial, Herrera, Lingard; Rashford
Liverpool: Mignolet: Clyne, Sakho, Lovren, Moreno; Henderson, Can; Coutinho, Firmino, Lallana; Sturridge
From : SS.com
