The fiercest rivalry in the Premier League is reignited on Monday night as Liverpool travel to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United. Both sides are without a win in their opening two games this season and pundits have made their predictions for the titanic clash.
Liverpool have played out two disappointing draws against Fulham and most recently against Crystal Palace, but this hasn't stopped Chris Sutton from predicting a 5-1 win for the Reds on Monday night.
Erik ten Hag has endured a disastrous start to life at United after losing 2-1 to Brighton at home before being hammered 4-0 off Brentford on Saturday. Despite these losses, Paul Merson believes United can scrape a draw against Liverpool.
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Premier League winner Sutton told BBC Sport that Liverpool will beat United 5-1 on Monday: "Liverpool have started slowly too, and Darwin Nunez’s suspension won’t help on top of their injuries. That leaves them a bit short up front, although Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz looked lively against Palace.
“Whatever happens, you just know Jurgen Klopp’s side will outwork United at the very least. Maybe United’s players will run around a little bit more this week than they did against Brentford, but they need to find some heart. Unless something happens this week that triggers a change in attitude in the squad, I don’t see it happening.
“The home crowd will be willing them to take the game to Liverpool, and if they do that then they are in big trouble because that’s when Klopp’s side are at their best. They won 5-0 at Old Trafford last season and it is going to be a similar story this time, although I am going to give United a goal just to lift their spirits a little.”
Merson told Sportskeeda that the game will end in a draw: "This is Manchester United's biggest game in ages. They've played in several European Cup finals and everything, but in the modern era, this is as big as it gets for them.
"Liverpool have been more successful in this fixture over the past few years, but this is the best time for Manchester United to face them. I might get absolutely ripped to shreds for my prediction, but I'm going to go for a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford."
Former Liverpool player Jason McAteer thinks the Reds will record their first win of the season when they take on United on Monday night.
"The changes that were made during the Crystal Palace game proves that Jurgen Klopp is not scared to change the team if he feels there is an element of complacency. But Liverpool have shown signs that they have the right mentality. To come back from behind twice and achieve points against Palace and Fulham is good.
"Erik Ten Hag could lose his job if Man United lose to Liverpool. No one knows what team Ten Hag will pick, he probably doesn’t know himself what team he’ll pick, which could be a problem. Ten Hag will be looking for a response from his players, but so will Jurgen Klopp, there will be less injuries for Liverpool by then too.
"I'll go for a Liverpool win 3-0."
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