Man United Vs Liverpool: Team News, Injury Updates, Expected Starting XI...

There could hardly be more riding on Manchester United's home game against Liverpool on Monday night at Old Trafford, after they lost both of their first Premier League games against Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford.

Erik ten Hag's turnaround at Old Trafford was always going to take time given their disastrous decline previous season, but few could have predicted their low point of last weekend's 4-0 loss to Brentford which sees them currently bottom of the table.

While last season's runners-up Liverpool are 12th, having drawn their first two games of the campaign against Fulham and Crystal Palace.

These two bitter rivals enter Monday's match fighting for the three points as Liverpool has fallen four points behind possible title contenders Manchester City. 

The Red Devils finished sixth last season, 13 points behind fourth-placed Tottenham, which is an indication of the huge turnaround that needs to occur for the club to return to the Champions League spots under new boss Erik ten Hag.

Man United were embarrassed by Liverpool in their two Premier League games last season, suffering a 5-0 loss at Old Trafford and 4-0 defeat at Anfield; Jurgen Klopp's side have actually won each of their last three league meetings, with the Red Devils not beating their rivals in England's top flight since March 2018.

Liverpool twice had to come from behind against Fulham on the opening weekend of the campaign to claim a point in a 2-2 draw, while they also conceded first against Crystal Palace on Monday through Wilfried Zaha, before Luis Diaz levelled the scores just before the hour.

New signing Darwin Nunez received a red card in the match with Patrick Vieira's side, ruling him out of the trip to Old Trafford, while the Reds have injury problems, and they need to be careful that Man City are not allowed to open up a healthy advantage in the early stages of the campaign.

Manchester United Injury Updates:

After picking up an injury before Man Utd's opening-day loss to Brighton, Lindelof is yet to play for the team this year and has not yet returned to practice. He might yet be considered for the weekend trip to Southampton.

The prognosis is that [Pellistri] will not return before September after sustaining an ankle strain in Man Utd's preseason friendly against Atletico Madrid, according to ten Hag. The 20-year-old Uruguayan international will therefore seek to play a part in his team's game against Arsenal at home.

Liverpool Injury Updates:

Jurgen Klopp revealed during his press conference that Roberto Firmino is available for selection, and the Brazilian is expected to replace Nunez in the XI, with the latter suspended for this fixture.

Naby Keita will also be in the squad following illness, but Joel Matip, Thiago Alcantara, Ibrahima Konate, Curtis Jones, Diogo Jota, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ramsay and Caoimhin Kelleher are all still injured.

Klopp is expected to introduce Joe Gomez into his starting XI on Monday, while club captain Jordan Henderson should return in midfield at the expense of James Milner.

Diaz and Mohamed Salah will again play in the wide positions for the Reds, while a familiar defensive unit will include Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Andrew Robertson.

Manchester United Predicted XI:(4-2-3-1)

David De Gea, Diogo Dalot, Lisandro Martinez, H.Maguire, Luke Shaw; Scott Mc Tominay, Donny Van de Beek; Bruno Fernandes; J.Sancho, M.Rashford; C.Ronaldo.

Liverpool Predicted XI (4-3-3):

Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Elliott, Fabinho, Henderson; Salah, Firmino, Diaz.

Editors Predicted Result: 

Man United 2-2 Liverpool.