Manchester United visit Anfield to play Premier League leaders Liverpool on Sunday. The Red Devils are the only league team to take points off of Liverpool this season and aim to end their rival’s unbeaten run in the division. Their previous match at Old Trafford saw Marcus Rashford score in the first half with Liverpool substitute Adama Lallana grabbing the equaliser late in the second half. Manchester United star Rashford was a key player in the teams’ first fixture but won’t play a part in Sunday’s match.
Liverpool have kept six straight clean sheet wins in the Premier League. The Reds’ defence will face a Manchester United team lacking its most important attacking weapon when they meet at Anfield.
Marcus Rashford will miss today’s match against Liverpool. There are fears he could be out for a while. #mufc [Telegraph]
— United Xtra (@utdxtra) January 19, 2020
Rashford is having his best career Premier League season in terms of goals. The Manchester United star has scored 14 goals in 22 league appearances. Rashford is coming off of a two-goal performance against Norwich City last weekend.
Manchester United have scored 36 times in the league with Rashford collecting 14 of those goals. Rashford has added four assists making him responsible for half of all Manchester United goals.
Reports are suggesting that Rashford is not only out of today's game against Liverpool but for the whole season due to a back problem. No wonder, he's been carrying Man Utd all season.
— Troll Football (@TrollFootball) January 19, 2020
The striker suffered a back injury in midweek when Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer used him as a second-half substitute versus Wolverhampton Wanderers in their FA Cup third-round replay.
Manchester United have become heavily reliant on Rashford following the sale of Romelu Lukaku last summer. The Red Devils are linked with a number of players but are yet to make a signing this January.
33% — Since 2017-18, a third of all goals in Premier League fixtures between Manchester United and Liverpool have been scored by Marcus Rashford.
He will be missed today. https://t.co/XF9iTPKn3x
— UtdArena. (@utdarena) January 19, 2020
While the Manchester United star is not in the team for Sunday’s match against Liverpool, Solskjaer has included centre-back, Eric Bailly. The defender has missed the entire season and is a shock inclusion to face the league’s most exciting attack.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has received a major boost ahead of Manchester United’s arrival. Defensive midfielder Fabinho and centre-back Joel Matip will be available for selection.
Games missed through injury this season:
Matip 21
Shaqiri 15
Fabinho 13
Alisson 11
Keita 10
Lovren 9
Chamberlain 4*Lucky* Liverpool are still 14 clear with a game in hand
— The Anfield Wrap (@TheAnfieldWrap) January 15, 2020
It is unlikely either will start due to Liverpool’s recent excellent defensive record. Joe Gomez is likely to partner Virgil van Dijk as the pair have made a great partnership over the last month.
Fabinho’s and Matip’s returns give Klopp more options and will only strengthen Liverpool’s defence. The Reds have conceded the fewest number of goals, 14, in the Premier League this season.
