Liverpool vs Manchester United preview: Jose Mourinho's men set to face first stern test of season at Anfield

England’s most storied rivalry is set to be renewed on the backdrop of injured players, an arduous World Cup qualifying campaign, and most importantly, Jurgen Klopp and Jose Mourinho kick-starting their budding rivalry once again.

Going by the host of issues that Liverpool face, and Manchester United’s devastating form in the Premier League, this game would have been a cinch for the second-placed Mancunians at the start of the season. However, injuries to some of their best players and a defence that is yet to be tested against a high-output offense mean that this will be the sternest test for Mourinho’s title contenders up until this point.

Manchester United’s defence has been resilient in the Premier League so far, keeping eight clean sheets out of nine games. But, the fact is, that only two of their six wins have come against teams that were in the top-10 of the Premier League last season. While Phil Jones and Eric Bailly have held up the fort admirably at the back, Liverpool’s pace up front will give the United center-backs plenty to deal with. Offensively, Liverpool have the ability to be one of the best teams in the league and United will look to stifle the same in classic Mourinho fashion. The Reds, whose one redeeming quality this season has been their wing-play, are also set to miss winger Sadio Mane, who picked up a hamstring injury midweek during a World Cup qualifier.

Mourinho’s pragmatism has often been explained as him being defensive. But pragmatism, as rightly pointed out by Daniel Storey , means to effectively find the best way to win. And Mourinho will look at back six (Ander Herrera, Nemanja Matic included) and think that they are well more than capable of handling Liverpool’s attack. On the other hand, Liverpool’s defence (12 goals conceded in seven Premier League games) is simply not competent enough to keep United’s front four of Romelu Lukaku, Marcus Rashford, Juan Mata and Henrikh Mkhitaryan at bay.

The Red Devils’ will be looking to attack Liverpool’s goal, and this will be an intriguing affair to behold. Having only scored one goal against the top-six in away games last season, it will be interesting to see whether Mourinho sticks to his usual tactics. But the game being this early in the season means that United have room for some liability, and thus the license to attack, even if it’s in moderation.

It will also be a test for the away team’s striker-in-chief Lukaku, who often goes missing against top teams. Lukaku, who is coming back from an ankle injury, has some problems against Liverpool. The Belgian striker has only scored one goal in his previous six engagements against the Merseyside team in the Premier League and will look to set the record straight this time around.

What Liverpool need to do: Play Philippe Coutinho further up the field

Coutinho, so far, has assumed an Andres Iniesta-like role this season. It is imperative that Klopp forgoes the option of blinding fast attacks and instead approaches the game with measure. Therefore, unleashing Coutinho on a United midfield minus Paul Pogba and Marouane Fellaini is in the best interests of the Merseysiders.

With only one true striker in their line-up, Klopp needs to play Dominic Solanke. This is because the young English striker can keep Jones and Bailly occupied, handing Mohammad Salah enough room and time to go one-on-one against the United back four. Pace and direct movement will test this United defence like they haven’t been tested and Liverpool need to optimise the best chances their speedsters can get.

What Manchester United need to do: Focus on the tiny details

Liverpool’s record against top-six teams mean that they will treat this game like a cup final. It is imperative that United recognise this and match that intensity. Be it 50-50 challenges or making the most out of half chances that inevitably crop up in a game of this magnitude, Mourinho’s men must do what they are known for and absolutely pounce on the mistakes that the home team will make. If United can keep their concentration up and play at the same level that they have this season, the game is theirs to lose.

The first 30 minutes of this game promise to be an exciting affair. United have scored atleast one goal in the first 20 minutes of their past three games. Liverpool have done the same in the first 30 minutes of their past three games. The onus, thus, lies on the away team’s gameplay. An adventurous Mourinho squad can concede chances to Liverpool. But if United score early and then decide to coast, then Klopp will have to continue his wait to beat Mourinho at Anfield for the first time.

Prediction: Manchester United to lead at half-time and win at full-time.