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Liverpool logo
Premier League
Mar 22, 2015 at 1.30pm UK
 
Manchester United logo

1-2

Sturridge (69')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Mata (14', 59')

Preview: Liverpool vs. Manchester United

Sports Mole previews the Premier League encounter between Liverpool and Manchester United.

Liverpool head into their showdown with Manchester United knowing that victory over their bitter rivals will be enough to move past them in the Premier League table.

In December, United comfortably beat Liverpool 3-0 at Old Trafford, but since that loss, Brendan Rodgers's side have put together a run of 13 games without defeat in the league.

Rodgers has decisions to make in midfield, with both Steven Gerrard and Lucas Leiva available again after nursing injuries in recent weeks.

However, Rodgers has previously indicated that Gerrard isn't guaranteed a spot in his new-look team, and after the Reds beat Swansea City on Monday night, Rodgers could name the same starting lineup.

Striker Mario Balotelli, who has just four goals in 24 appearances this season, is likely to be named on the bench.

Despite their performances being criticised for much of the season, United travel to Merseyside in the hunt for second spot after last week's 3-0 triumph over Tottenham Hotspur.

The club suffered a significant blow when they bowed out of the FA Cup to Arsenal, but they look well placed to mount a challenge to finish runners-up, an achievement that at one stage appeared unlikely.

Louis van Gaal's men have won their last three league matches without conceding a goal, while Wayne Rooney's return to attack has provided the team with more threat in the final third.

Angel Di Maria, Marcos Rojo and Luke Shaw all return from suspension and injuries respectively but they could be named on the bench if Van Gaal opts for an unchanged team on Sunday afternoon.

Liverpool:

Form in Premier League: DWWWWW
Form in all competitions: WLWWDW

Possible starting lineup: Mignolet, Can, Skrtel, Sakho, Allen, Henderson, Lallana, Moreno, Coutinho, Sterling, Sturridge

Manchester United:

Form in Premier League: DWLWWW
Form in all competitions: WLWWLW

Possible starting lineup: De Gea; Valencia, Jones, Smalling, Blind; Carrick, Herrera, Mata, Fellaini, Young; Rooney

Sports Mole says: 1-1


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Written by
Darren Plant
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Louis van Gaal the manager of Manchester United looks on during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on March 15, 2015
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool16123137162139
2Chelsea17105237191835
3Arsenal1796234161833
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest179442319431
5Bournemouth178452721628
6Aston Villa178452626028
7Manchester CityMan City178362925427
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle177552721626
9Fulham176742422225
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton176742726125
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1772839251423
12Brentford177283232023
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd176472122-122
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham175572230-820
15Everton163761421-716
16Crystal Palace173771826-816
17Leicester CityLeicester173592137-1614
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1733112740-1312
19Ipswich TownIpswich172691632-1612
20Southampton1713131136-256


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