United's three wins this season have come against two newly promoted sides and ten-man Chelsea, though their most recent, a 2-0 victory over Sunderland, exuded a comfort level that has rarely been seen under Amorim.
It’s one of the biggest games in the Premier League calendar, regardless of how the two sides are performing at the times. Here are three key battles that could prove to be decisive in the game at Anfield.
Patrick Dorgu v Mohamed Salah
Speaking after their win, Chelsea left-back Marc Cucurella revealed they targeted Salah throughout the game, knowing that the Egyptian’s lack of defensive input would isolate right-back Conor Bradley.
As predicted, Salah stayed futher up the field as Chelsea broke on the counter, and Cucurella popped up in the right place at the right time to send a low cross to Estevao, who slid in to slot the ball into an almost open net.
United play a different formation to Chelsea, with two number tens rather than traditional wingers, so they have less width. Dorgu didn’t start the game against Sunderland, with Diogo Dalot picked ahead of him.
For this one, Dorgu should be the man tasked with providing the width United will need to help isolate whomever Liverpool decide to play at right back. The Dane has the pace and crossing ability to be a real attacking threat.
Of course, giving Dorgu more attacking freedom would leave United’s left-sided centre-back with a lot to do, but the fact they play a back three SHOULD help provide cover, with the right wingback dropping deeper to help defend, reverting to a back four when Dorgu is further up the field.
No player relishes this fixture quite like Salah, who has found the net in 10 of the last 11 meetings between Liverpool and Manchester United across all competitions.
Virgil van Dijk v Benjamin Sesko
There were plenty of memes plastered all over social media after Van Dijk backed off Moises Caicedo before the Ecuadorian sent a thunderous strike into the top left corner. The optics weren’t great, but the Dutchman is still one of the best defenders on the planet.
One bad moment shouldn’t define Van Dijk’s season. Across his seven Premier League appearances so far, of which he’s played every minute, he has won 41 duels, 32 aerial duels at a success rate of 78 per cent, eight interceptions, and seven blocks.
Interestingly enough, as his performance against Chelsea would suggest, Van Dijk doesn’t actually tackle that much, only making three so far this season, while defensive partner Ibrahima Konate has made 11.
As for Sesko, the big Slovenian is starting to find his feet at United. Two goals in his last two games, both of which came from inside the six-yard box, standing at 6’5”, the striker is an absolute handful for opposition defenders.
The Man United star likes to use his physicality, playing close to his marker with success, particularly in the air, winning 16 of his aerial duels. He also has the kind of nasty side all good number nines need, committing eight fouls so far.
Manuel Ugarte/Casemiro v Florian Writz
The £116 million German has failed to hit the heights since move to Anfield, failing to score or provide an assist in a competitive game. Many of his international teammates have called out the narrative of him already being a flop, but he needs to start getting on the board soon.
Still, his underlying numbers haven’t been as bad as some may think. Wirtz has created 11 chances for Liverpool in the Premier League so far, generating an xG of 0.87. Salah should have probably helped him break the duck against Chelsea, but he missed a golden chance following a love piece of play from Wirtz.
United’s midfield two have been much maligned this season. Captain Bruno Fernandes is likely to be one of them, as for the other, it hard to say whether Amorim will decide to play Casemiro or Ugarte.
After the previous international break, the manager decided to drop Casemiro for their 3-0 defeat to Man City following his time with the Brazil national team, opting to play Ugarte in his place. It wasn’t a success, but it would suggest that Amorim is aware Casemiro can’t play every minute anymore.
The former Real Madrid man was away with Brazil again this time around, playing the full 90 minutes in both of their friendless against South Korea and then Japan. Given the distance he’s travelled over the past week or so, he will likely be left out again.
Whoever ends up playing, they will need to cover a LOT of space. Fernandes will naturally push a little higher up, leaving the midfield open for Liverpool to create. Wirtz will doubtless have a fire under him with everyone on his back, this feels like good conditions for him to make a statement.