Merseyside | The perfect time for Slot's side to bounce back?

Liverpool v Manchester United Preview

After three consecutive defeats in all competitions, Liverpool face their biggest rivals looking to bounce back.

Author | William G

Stadium | Anfield

Liverpool v Manchester United | January 2025

Liverpool face Manchester United with both teams struggling for consistency in recent weeks, adding to the tension surrounding one of English football’s most high-profile fixtures.

The Premier League champions are enduring their most difficult run under Arne Slot, having lost three consecutive matches in all competitions. Slot will be hoping to pair a strong performance with a win, particularly as Liverpool’s victories this season have often lacked convincing displays. While last-minute triumphs over sides such as Burnley have highlighted the team’s determination, these narrow results have also exposed vulnerabilities. This was especially clear in their last two league matches, where injury-time goals against Crystal Palace and Chelsea proved costly.

Team news for Liverpool

Ryan Gravenberch is a minor doubt. The Netherlands international came off at half-time in his country’s 4-0 win over Finland. Gravenberch insisted it was precautionary but hamstring issues can sometime be worse than initially feared.

🏥 Liverpool's Ryan Gravenberch has sustained a hamstring injury on international duty

💉 The Netherlands midfielder is a back-up central defensive option for Arne Slot in the wake of Giovanni Leoni's season-ending ACL tear

📚 Story: https://t.co/Okpaebbrv8 pic.twitter.com/0OHIYEel32

— FourFourTwo (@FourFourTwo) October 14, 2025

Wataru Endo is also a doubt. The midfielder surprisingly pulled out of Japan’s squad for games against Paraguay and Brazil. Endo had only made a brief cameo against Chelsea and given he’s Japan’s captain, it will have had to be a real issue to not feature.

A quick look at Manchester United

It’s been another strange few weeks. They are yet to win away from home and have only picked up one draw from three matches on the road. At Old Trafford however, they have looked a decent side. Last time out, they picked up a decent 2-0 win against Sunderland. The Man United fans blog, The View From K Stand, explores their recent form and previews this match from their perspective.

View from the stands at Manchester United v Sunderland

Key stats ahead of this potentially pivotal match

Manchester United have failed to win in their last nine Premier League visits to Anfield, dating back to a 1-0 victory in January 2016 under Louis van Gaal, with five draws and four defeats. Liverpool could become only the second team to remain unbeaten in 10 or more successive home league games against the Red Devils, following Chelsea’s run of 10 matches between August 2002 and February 2012.

Liverpool have lost just once in their last 14 Premier League encounters with Manchester United, a 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford in August 2022. Since the start of the 2018-19 season, no team to face United three or more times in the league has recorded fewer losses.

Slot’s side have suffered defeats in both of their last two league matches, after winning their opening five of the season. Last term, they did not lose twice until their 31st league game. A third consecutive league defeat would be a first for the Reds since February 2021.