Should Liverpool defeat the disillusioned Red Devils on Sunday, Liverpool could be a whopping 26 points clear of rivals Manchester United.
Arne Slot, who has already secured a 3-0 win over Man Utd in the Premier League, led his team to the top of the table in his first half of the season at Anfield, suffering just one defeat during his impressive tenure.
Sunday offers the Dutch coach another opportunity to secure a convincing win that will endear him even more to the Anfield faithful, with Liverpool guaranteed to finish the weekend top of the table regardless of the outcome of Man Utd’s trip to Merseyside.
This is how Slot could line up his Liverpool team for a decisive game.
TW: Alisson – Liverpool’s goalkeeper is still one of the best – if not The The best player in the world and he has kept five straight clean sheets in home games with Man Utd. Given that the Red Devils haven’t had a chance in their last three games, he’ll be hoping for a sixth goal on Sunday.
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold – There has been considerable debate about his future at Liverpool, but his performance at West Ham in the last game shows why he is so important to the Reds. It was an exceptional performance, both in the final third and in his own half.
CB: Jarell Quansah – Ibrahima Konate is back in full training but Sunday’s clash could come too soon for him. With Joe Gomez sidelined for several weeks with a thigh injury, the young Quansah could feature at Anfield.
CB: Virgil van Dijk – The Liverpool captain has been confident this season and will not be too worried about the prospect of facing Rasmus Hojlund or his compatriot Joshua Zirkzee.
LB: Andy Robertson – There has been legitimate criticism of the Scot this season, but he still has the support of Slot. It would be brave for the Dutchman to replace him with Kostas Tsimikas this weekend.
DM: Ryan Gravenberch – Liverpool’s Dutch squad have all shone this season and Gravenberch has been the beating heart of the midfield. The young midfielder continues to thrive in his new defensive role.
DM: Alexis Mac Allister – Mac Allister has a goal and two assists in his last three games and scored a goal against Man Utd in the FA Cup last season. The Argentine will be crucial in controlling the midfield battle against unconvincing opponents.
RW: Mohamed Salah – Despite providing a worrying update on his future at Liverpool, Salah’s on-field performance against Man Utd. not affected. He has 15 goals and six assists in 16 games against the Red Devils.
AM: Dominik Szoboszlai – The Hungary international missed West Ham’s win due to suspension but returns on Sunday. He will compete with Curtis Jones for a starting spot against Man Utd.
LW: Cody Gakpo – Gakpo found himself on the scoresheet again last weekend, scoring his eleventh goal of the season against the Hammers. With two goals in his last two games, he will be desperate to get another brace against Man Utd – as he did in the 7-0 defeat in the 2022/23 season.
ST: Luis Diaz – Diogo Jota’s return has been welcomed with open arms, but Diaz is in such incredible form that he simply cannot be let down. He has scored three goals in his last two and is prepared to punish a poor Red Devils defense.