Liverpool v Manchester United: Premier League match preview

A look at a game which could prove pivotal in the race for the Champions League

A view from outside Anfield (GETTY IMAGES)

Despite a horrendous first half to the season, in which they crashed out of the Champions League, and had to endure calls for Brendan Rodgers’ head, Liverpool are back on top form and could even emulate last season’s second-place finish. As the only side yet to lose a Premier League game in 2015, they will be looking to leapfrog bitter rivals Manchester United into fourth with a crucial win.

Louis van Gaal’s side recorded a much-needed win over Tottenham last weekend following an uninspiring sequence of results. However with Manchester City and Chelsea soon to come, the Dutchman will have pinpointed their trip to Anfield as an important occasion to pick up some points.

LIVE: Premier League Sunday latest

KICK-OFF: Sunday, 1.30pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS...

Man United (Rooney, Mata, van Persie) 3-0 Liverpool, Premier League, December 2014

Man United 0-3 Liverpool (Gerrard 2, Suarez), Premier League, March 2014

Man United (Hernandez) 1-0 Liverpool, League Cup, September 2013

ODDS: Liverpool 15/13 Draw 5/2 Man United 14/5

STATS...

Simon Mignolet has kept seven clean sheets in 10 league games in 2015.

There have been four penalties in the last two meetings between these sides.

Manchester United have only failed to score twice in their last eight visits to Anfield.

The visitors have not kept a clean sheet at Anfield since March 2007.

CLASSIC MATCH....

Liverpool 0-1 Man United - 2007

Manchester United snatched victory in the dying seconds at Anfield from the unlikeliest of sources, with substitute John O’Shea pouncing on a loose ball to fire into the roof of the net. Liverpool had dominated most of the game, and Paul Scholes had been dismissed moments earlier for an attempted punch, but when the Irishman smashed home the rebound in the six-yard area, the previous 90 minutes was swiftly forgotten and pandemonium in the away end understandably ensued.

TV: Sky Sports 1/Sky Sports 1 HD