* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
Paddy Power ambassador Phil Thompson has fired up the Zoom app once more to take a look at Manchester United v Liverpool with our football trader Brian McDonnell. The Liverpool legend – brace yourselves – doesn’t think his beloved Reds are going to win here.
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United have lost four of their last eight games while Liverpool are unbeaten in 12 this season. It feels like an easy win for Liverpool but given it’s a derby it might not be that straightforward. Let’s see what the lads think for this weekend’s biggest game.
Sunday 4.30pm: Manchester United v Liverpool
TV: Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League
THOMMO: Mo Salah has been quite astonishing, hasn’t he? And, besides the scoring of goals, I don’t think I’ve seen him happier playing football than he’s been this season. There have been times when Mo, throughout his time there, has been scoring goals and been sulking, you know?
This season there’s so much joy, so much enjoyment in his game at the moment. It was a tough game [against Atletico Madrid] in midweek, my goodness. Going there, they were throwing all the European tricks that you can think of at Liverpool. Particularly when the sending off happened.
They were throwing themselves about, I thought Liverpool did really well to come through it, scoring another three goals. They’re unbeaten in 12 games this season in all competitions which is quite something. We’ve had 166 goal attempts this season in eight Premier League games.
As for Man United, listen, this is the biggest game in world football. It is bigger than Barcelona v Real Madrid. I don’t care what you say, this is huge. It’s watched by more people across the globe than any other game and Man United always turn up.
In midweek after 45 minutes, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could probably have been sacked by now, but they came back and they did what Manchester United have done over the years. Cristiano Ronaldo, stunning header, right at the end. But, they’ve lost four of their last eight in all competitions.
This is pointing towards Liverpool winning this but guys this is one where you can throw everything out the window. I do fancy goals in this and I do fancy two people who will do the scoring. I’m going for Desmond, 2-2 and Marcus Rashford to Score Anytime and Mo Salah to Score Anytime.
BRIAN: I’m not going to sit on the fence, I’m happy to pin my flag to the mast and pick a winner in this one! I’ve been happy to back against Manchester United for most of the season and I’m not going to change my tune now. I’m going to go with Liverpool to Win.
The amount of goals they’re scoring at the moment and the amount of goals Man United are giving up, I can’t see Liverpool not scoring at least two here on Sunday. Man United are disjointed at the moment and have been for the past couple of weeks.
Midweek against Atalanta, I think, again they were bailed out by individual moments rather than a tactical masterclass by Ole at half-time. I know Phil says the form book goes out the window and it will be a different Manchester United against Liverpool, but Liverpool are unbeaten in the last six in this fixture so the form book does count for something.
Manchester United haven’t been up for this fixture over the past two or three seasons. Liverpool are just in a different league to Manchester United at the moment. Liverpool are back to their best form, their title-winning form of two seasons ago now.
One thing I would say about Liverpool this season, or over the last couple of weeks, is that they have been giving up a few sloppy goals, I would say. Two against AC Milan, three against Brentford, two against Atletico Madrid midweek as well.
So, I can definitely see United scoring here, Ronaldo’s a big-game player. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he pops up and scores on Sunday but I think Liverpool will edge it 2-1 and as we mentioned, Mo Salah, you can’t look past the form he’s in.
He’s already scored three goals at Old Trafford this calendar year. That’s more than Paul Pogba by the way. So, Liverpool to Win and Both Teams to Score, that’s my best bet for this one.
Man Utd v Liverpool Tips
Thommo: Correct Score: 2-2, Marcus Rashford to Score Anytime, Mo Salah to Score Anytime
Brian: Liverpool to Win, Liverpool to Win 2-1, Liverpool to Win & Both Teams to Score
* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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