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Titanic midfield battle will determine six-pointer

Manchester United versus Liverpool at Old Trafford has produced a winner in 20 of 24 Premier League meetings, and this weekend it offers up 2017’s first defining six-pointer. Can the Red Devils propel themselves into the title mix, or will their most bitter rivals send their challenge packing? We answer some burning questions ahead of Sunday (Jan 15) night’s blockbuster clash …

Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba did not have a good game when his team met Liverpool the last time out. The Frenchman will be eager to prove a point on Sunday. Photo: Reuters.

Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba did not have a good game when his team met Liverpool the last time out. The Frenchman will be eager to prove a point on Sunday. Photo: Reuters.

Manchester United versus Liverpool at Old Trafford has produced a winner in 20 of 24 Premier League meetings, and this weekend it offers up 2017’s first defining six-pointer. Can the Red Devils propel themselves into the title mix, or will their most bitter rivals send their challenge packing? We answer some burning questions ahead of Sunday (Jan 15) night’s blockbuster clash …

WHO LEADS LIVERPOOL’S LINE?

Laid-back Jurgen Klopp is not the type to fret over team sheets, but he may have been burning the midnight oil pondering the configuration of his attack for this encounter.

Of his first choice trio, there is no Sadio Mane for starters. He is away at the African Cup of Nations.

Distracted by a drink-drive charge and a recent burglary at his home, Roberto Firmino’s head does not look like it is in the right place either. A dip in form suggests so anyway.

In addition, wizard-in-chief Philippe Coutinho (below) is only just back from a seven-week lay-off, playing 30 minutes against Southampton in the EFL Cup semi-final.

SO, WHAT DOES THE LIVERPOOL BOSS DO?

In Klopp’s shoes I would still select both Brazilians. Creating 16 chances for one another this term (more than any other Liverpool pair) their chemistry is naturally hot. It is worth banking on a positive reunion.

As for Mane’s replacement, I see Adam Lallana as more effective in a central midfield three, and I fear Daniel Sturridge blew his audition with a lacklustre display on Thursday at St Mary’s. For all we know the striker has not yet been released from Virgil van Dijk’s pocket.

My choice would be Belgian whiz kid Divock Origi (below). His pace and movement will stretch Manchester United in a similar vein to their missing African, and he will conform to Klopp’s need for his front men to press.

WHAT IS THE KEY BATTLEGROUND?

Titanic tussles will take place all over the pitch, but the skirmish between Paul Pogba and Jordan Henderson might be the tastiest of the lot.

Liverpool’s skipper unanimously won round one of their midfield dust-up in October.

Pogba was used in the No 10 role that night, and by operating in confined spaces it helped Henderson breathe down his neck or crunch into a tackle every time the ball went near him. Aside from one fabulous cross for Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the Frenchman’s contribution was nonexistent.

If Henderson is fit to play (and we are led to believe he will be) the challenge will be trickier.

Pogba is not only playing better, he is also in a left-sided midfield position that makes him infinitely harder to shackle. Unless he vacates his spot in front of the back four, Henderson will need to watch and wait for the United star to make runs into key areas. If he loses concentration just once, the game could swing in an instant.

WHICH WEAK LINKS WILL THE MANAGERS TARGET?

Early passes and piercing runs could cripple Liverpool at the Theatre of Dreams.

When Klopp’s men press, their back four have no choice but to push up, and this leaves them vulnerable to pace on the counter.

If it is the on-song Anthony Martial and Henrikh Mkhitaryan who flank Ibrahimovic, I envisage their speedy, incisive darts into the space giving the visitors nightmares.

United’s wide forwards (Martial, Mkhitaryan, Wayne Rooney, Marcus Rashford, Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata) have all been rested and rotated cleverly in recent weeks by Jose Mourinho. None have played more than 50 per cent of the past 10 EPL games, so whoever starts will be sharp.

As for Liverpool, they will target the left side of the home side’s rearguard. Nathaniel Clyne and Lallana will ask serious questions of the less-than-infallible left backs Daley Blind or Matteo Darmian, and if Marcos Rojo is not passed fit, Chris Smalling will fill in at left centre-back.

Smalling endured a stinker against Chelsea, and is yet to heal the wounds. It will also be the first time he has partnered Phil Jones in more than a year in Premier League action. Neither of them enjoys dealing with slippery movement, Liverpool’s forte, and there are scars to heal from the last time they performed together in the top flight.

Defeats to Norwich City and Stoke City in December 2015 mark the last two occasions they completed 90 minutes of EPL football as a pair. The England duo will be targeted.

WILL IT BE ANOTHER SNOOZE FEST?

Mourinho shut down October’s North West Classico with a defensive master class.

Watching wide man Rashford forming part of a back six was not pleasing on the eye, but Liverpool had no answer to the way United mixed fierce physicality with tremendously well-organised tactics.

Knowing how dramatically three points could change the complexion of their season, Mourinho will demand greater ambition in front of their own fans. He will not mind Liverpool enjoying the bulk of possession, but when United break they will do so properly, with power and purpose.

Liverpool will be Liverpool. They will work their socks off, defend from the front, and try to create as many chances as possible.

Will it be pretty? I am not convinced. Both coaches will demand they disrupt the opposition’s flow, but with United needing the three points it has to be more exciting than before.

WHO WILL WIN?

To be considered challengers, United must need to beat a big team soon, and this is a great opportunity to break their 2016-17 duck.

Liverpool showed spunk and spirit to beat Manchester City on New Year’s Eve, but since then they have gone off the boil. Based on current form it is Mourinho’s men who are more comfortable in their own skin.

This is the day I expect Ibrahimovic and Pogba to earn their money in a match that really matters. I fancy the hosts to win, because they have to.

Prediction: United 2 Liverpool 1

 

BIG MATCH PREDICTIONS

Swansea City 0 Arsenal 3

Swansea’s defence is statistically the most porous in nine Premier League seasons. The club’s new management team, Paul Clement and Claude Makelele, are up against it on their home debut.

Leicester City 2 Chelsea 2

Boosted by their FA Cup win at Everton the champions - who welcome Jamie Vardy back from suspension - can give the leaders a rough ride at the King Power. They have the pace out wide to test Conte’s wingbacks.

Everton 1 Manchester City 3

New signing Morgan Schneiderlin will give Everton a much-needed lift, but providing Manchester City don’t have to do too much defending, their all-star attack will probably be too classy for the Toffees.

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