Big Match Focus: Liverpool v Man Utd

Erik ten Hag needs a win. But now, Manchester United have to go to Anfield.

Manchester United slumped out of the Champions League with a whimper in midweek — a 1-0 home loss to Bayern Munich condemning them to last place in Group A.

That defeat followed on from a 3-0 loss at the hands of Bournemouth last week at Old Trafford, and to be frank, Erik ten Hag could really do with a win.

Where else would he rather be taking his team next, then, than Anfield, to face Liverpool, who head into this weekend as the Premier League leaders?

The Reds were far from at their best against Crystal Palace last week, yet a red card for Jordan Ayew paved the way for Mohamed Salah and Harvey Elliott to complete a 2-1 comeback win.

With Arsenal losing to Aston Villa later in the day, Jurgen Klopp’s team took top spot for the week, and they should be confident of dispatching United — 7-0 losers on their last trip to Anfield — this time out.

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DATA BRIEF

According to Understat's expected points metric, Liverpool are overperforming by seven points — if the data were to be followed as a rule, then the Reds would find themselves in third, behind Arsenal and Manchester City.

Liverpool have scored 36 goals from an xG of 35, though they have far outperformed their xGA, conceding six goals fewer than would have been anticipated based on the opportunities they have given up.

United, meanwhile, are fortunate to be in sixth; the data suggests they should be as low as 11th, which backs up the consensus that Ten Hag has been managing to pick up results despite a poor level of performance.

However, as shown in their defeats to Newcastle, Manchester City, Bayern and even Bournemouth, when going up against sides on the top of their game, that level of performance is simply not up to scratch.

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