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“I struggle to understand the contention that Manchester United are playing ‘slightly better than their results would suggest’,” says Eric Peterson. “Their three wins are against two promotees (Burnley and Sunderland) and a Chelsea reduced to 10 men for 85 minutes of the game. Rather, I would suggest it’s quite clear that Manchester United’s record flatters to deceive.”
Plenty of people, including disciples of data, think they have played slightly better than their results suggest. It’s fine to disagree – this is a blog, not a judicial review – but phrases like ‘I struggle to understand’ and ‘It’s quite clear’ are unnecessarily reductive.
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Read Jonathan Wilson on Mo Salah, Florian Wirtz and the dangers of foresight
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Benjamin Sesko is on the bench today, but that won’t stop the moronic nonsense. If anything…
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Updated at 10.43 EDT
Video: Why are Liverpool playing worse despite breaking transfer records?
Why are Liverpool playing worse despite breaking transfer records? – videoShare
Florian Wirtz stays on the bench for Liverpool, with Arne Slot picking the same XI that started the defeat to Chelsea a fortnight ago. Liverpool began that game really well before losing their way.
Matheus Cunha replaces Benjamin Sesko up front for Manchester United, presumably because of his superior ball-carrying ability. Harry Maguire for Leny Yoro is the only other change from their 2-0 win over Sunderland.
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Updated at 10.35 EDT
Team news
Liverpool (4-2-3-1) Mamardashvili; Bradley, Konate, van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Isak.
Subs: Woodman, Gomez, Wirtz, Chiesa, Jones, Ekitike, Robertson, Frimpong, Ngumoha.
Man Utd (3-4-2-1) Lammens; De Ligt, Maguire, Shaw; Diallo, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dalot; Mbeumo, Mount; Cunha.
Subs: Bayindir, Mazraoui, Zirkzee, Dorgu, Yoro, Ugarte, Heaven, Sesko, Mainoo.
Referee Michael Oliver.
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Updated at 10.33 EDT
Preamble
Most of the time, rivalries peak when the two parties are fighting for the biggest prizes. Think Coe and Ovett, Benn and Eubank, Corrigan and Usborne. But their battles can be equally compelling when one or both are struggling and the stakes are not as high; ask anybody who watched, for example, the unforgettable 3-3 draw between a shambolic Liverpool and a rampant Manchester United at Anfield in January 1994.
The current, contrasting struggles of Liverpool and Manchester United have been the main source of fascination – and hype – ahead of today’s game. Liverpool are a) the defending champions and b) on a run of three straight defeats. United are a) in the bottom half of the table again and b) playing slightly better than their results would suggest.
This fixture could be the perfect palate cleanser for Liverpool and especially Mo Salah, who has a spectacular record against United. But United will take heart from last season’s 2-2 draw, when they produced their best performance under Ruben Amorim; today they’re hoping to win consecutive league games under him for the first time. A minor landmark, sure, but every developing side needs those.
One thing’s for sure: whatever the result, there will be narrative.
Kick off 4.30pm.
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Updated at 10.55 EDT
