Liverpool will look to snap a three-match losing streak across all competitions on Sunday when they welcome a Manchester United side showing signs of renewed belief under manager Ruben Amorim.
The Reds (5-2-0, 15 points) relinquished their early grip on the Premier League summit following a 2-1 defeat to Chelsea before the international break. Despite creating more chances than in their previous league loss to Crystal Palace, Arne Slot’s side again fell victim to a stoppage-time winner—this time from Chelsea’s Estevao Willian in the sixth minute of added time.
The result left Liverpool trailing league leaders Arsenal by a point heading into the weekend, intensifying the stakes ahead of one of English football’s most storied rivalries.
“If you’ve lost three games in a row and you wear the Liverpool shirt, it doesn’t matter who your opponent is—you have to react,” Slot said.
Forward Hugo Ekitike leads Liverpool with three league goals, while summer signing Alexander Isak is still searching for his first since arriving from Newcastle United. Isak featured for the full 180 minutes in Sweden’s international fixtures, potentially opening the door for Ekitike to start up front on Sunday.
Manchester United (3-3-1, 10 points) entered the break on one of their most promising runs since Amorim took charge last November. The Red Devils claimed wins over Chelsea and Sunderland in their last three outings, with a lone defeat to Brentford in between. However, they have yet to record back-to-back league victories under the Portuguese manager.
Striker Benjamin Sesko has offered a glimmer of consistency, netting his first two Premier League goals in consecutive matches, suggesting Amorim may have found a dependable presence at centre forward.
United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe recently expressed confidence in Amorim’s long-term vision, stating the manager should be given three years to implement his project. Amorim welcomed the support, noting that it reflects the atmosphere he has experienced within the club.
“First of all, I can feel it,” Amorim said. “It’s not just that thing that people talk, but I feel it every day. And, again, sometimes the pressure that I put on the team or on myself is so much bigger than them. I know that it’s going to take a while, but I don’t want to think like that.”
Sunday’s clash at Anfield promises to be a pivotal moment for both clubs—Liverpool seeking to regain momentum, and United aiming to prove their progress is more than a fleeting uptick.
