With 4 video games left of the season, it’s crunch time heading into matchweek 35. Liverpool are gearing as much as face Manchester United at Previous Trafford and it is all to play for. United at present sit in third place, straight above Liverpool within the Premier League desk.
The 2 sides are three factors aside, although they’ve gained the identical variety of video games. Regardless of accidents mounting between each golf equipment, it is going to come down to those previous couple of video games to see which crew is ready to declare the ‘better of the remainder’ prize exterior of the mouthwatering title race.
In accordance with stats boffins SofaScore, the bitter northwest rivals have little to separate them – with 5 Anfield stars and 6 United gamers that includes on this mixed XI heading into Sunday’s conflict.
Goalkeeper: Senne Lammens (MNU)
SofaScore: 6.97/10
With Alisson and Mamardashvili injured, the one good selection is Manchester United’s Senne Lammens. The Belgian ranks means above remaining Liverpool goalkeeper Freddie Woodman. Although Woodman was influential within the end result within the sport in opposition to Crystal Palace for his league debut, the expertise that Lammens brings to the sector simply pips the Englishman to the submit.
Lammens is at present dominating over an inexperienced Woodman. The latter could show that assertion unsuitable, however we’ll have to attend and see. The Belgian has recorded six clear sheets this season for Manchester United and – in accordance with our United reporter Nathan Salt – is the worth cash signing of the season.
Senne Lammens has been top-of-the-line signings of the season for Manchester United
Centre Again – Virgil Van Dijk (LIV)
SofaScore: 7.26/10
Maybe the strongest defensive contender from both of the 2 sides, Virgil Van Dijk has placed on an astounding defensive show throughout the season to this point. His pitch warmth map is a flare of purple throughout the whole left aspect highlighting his dominance over the sector. In his personal half, Van Dijk has been profitable in 96 per cent of his passes.
He has been a key participant for Liverpool this season, having featured in all 34 video games to this point. Van Dijk has performed 90 minutes or extra throughout all league video games, in addition to in Liverpool’s Champions League video games. Meaning he’s performed not less than 4,140 minutes throughout the 2 campaigns. Spectacular. Van Dijk stays sturdy in his most popular place of centre again.
Proper Centre Again – Ibrahima Konate (LIV)
SofaScore: 7.12/10
Whereas Konate’s had a quiet season by his lofty requirements, there’s power in silence. The 26-year-old is reportedly solely weeks away from signing a contract extension with Liverpool, however the way forward for mentioned deal is unsure. He’ll need to make sturdy impressions over the subsequent few weeks till it is all written down and signed on the dotted line.
He’s made 1,936 passes with an 89 per cent completion charge within the league this season. Konate has gained 201 duels with 112 of these being within the air. He’s made 50 tackles, 27 interceptions, and 22 blocks. Not too shabby.
Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate occupy two of the central three defensive positions
Left Centre Again – Luke Shaw (MNU)
SofaScore: 6.67/10
’Ol dependable. Luke Shaw is a long-time identify on these lists. The 30-year-old is a 12-year Manchester United veteran and is effectively beloved by followers. He’s appeared within the beginning lineup each sport this season for the Crimson Devils.
Although his efficiency has been marred with repetitive accidents throughout his profession, Shaw’s power comes within the field with 152 duels gained this season. He retains a robust place within the again three, the one United participant to make the defensive lineup. Although preferring a extra midfield sort of defensive roles he now performs all the way in which up the size of pitch, prepared to assist a teammate in want. A real squad chief.
Luke Shaw joins the Liverpool pair having proven spectacular consistency for United
CDM – Ryan Gravenberch (LIV)
SofaScore: 7.07/10
The primary of two Liverpool midfielders alongside Dominik Szoboszlai, Gravenberch has been progressing quietly during the last couple of seasons. Initially enjoying in a extra entrance dealing with function, beneath the tutelage of supervisor Arne Slot he moved additional again right into a deeper midfield place.
The 23-year-old is ready to subvert the ball round opposition gamers and is a flexible midfielder with the power to excel each offensively and defensively. He has the power to play with a way of freedom, which is changing into rarer with the meteoric rise of set piece utilization. His 6ft 2in stature additionally permits him to develop into bodily imposing on the pitch when vital.
CDM – Casemiro (MNU)
SofaScore: 7.22/10
Casemiro is without doubt one of the hottest midfielders on everybody’s thoughts, coming in proper behind teammate Bruno Fernandes. The 34-year-old picked up Premier League participant of week for matchweek 34. It’s the second time this season he’s picked up this award. His first got here in matchweek 24 after he put in a powerful efficiency in opposition to Fulham.
Casemiro generally is a harmful opponent on the pitch, which he demonstrated within the sport in opposition to Brentford on twenty seventh April. He has the power to show into an attacking risk at a second’s discover, particularly from lengthy balls and set items.
Casemiro is Michael Carrick’s renaissance man as he makes a surprising United swansong
Attacking midfield – Dominik Szoboszlai (LIV)
SofaScore: 7.18/10
Szoboszlai has accomplished 88 per cent of his spectacular 1,988 passes over 2,873 minutes. That’s a mean of over 62 passes per sport performed (32). He’s racked up 5 targets and 4 assists to this point this season.
His presence on the pitch is electrical. Szoboszlai is in every single place. The midfielder has achieved a prime pace of 34.49km/h within the Champions League. His prime pace within the Premier League is even quicker, reaching a pace of 36.76km/h. That’s the quickest pace for a house participant at Anfield, in addition to making him the third quickest participant within the league.
Attacking midfield – Bruno Fernandes (MNU)
SofaScore: 7.55/10
Bruno Fernandes is the best rated participant on this checklist, and for good purpose. There are numerous, many issues that could possibly be mentioned in regards to the high quality of the person that’s positive to develop into a membership legend.
This season has been extremely prolific for the Portuguese midfielder. In March 2026, he broke the Manchester United report for many assists in a single season, beating David Beckham’s report of 15 in 1999-2000 by one. The month earlier than, he turned the membership’s second quickest participant to achieve 200 purpose contributions, nabbing 104 targets and 96 assists since becoming a member of in January 2020.
Bruno Fernandes is in with a shout of being named the participant of the season
Ahead – Matheus Cunha (MNU)
SofaScore: 7.05/10
The self-described ‘maverick’ is a extremely instinctive centre ahead with an attacking fireplace. Cunha has fought his means into the mixed XI, taking up the function of major striker.
His talents are definitely not unsure. He’s made Premier League crew of the week twice this season. He’s obtained a samba model the place he dances by means of defenders. Cunha has scored eight targets this season since becoming a member of the membership in the summertime following a profitable season with Wolverhampton Wanderers wherein he scored 15 Premier League targets.
Left wing – Cody Gakpo (LIV)
SofaScore: 6.95/10
Although a divisive one for a lot of, Cody Gakpo has definitely discovered his dwelling beneath the helm of Arne Slot. Gakpo joins a few of his Dutch teammates on this line up. He slots into this formation in a left-wing place. He repeatedly tends to float the highest left nook of the pitch, preferring to play the ball across the penalty field.
He’s one in all Liverpool’s quicker gamers, usually selecting to make use of his proper foot to chop inside with the ball. He can even bounce right into a centre-forward place to assist his teammates when wanted. He’s scored a mixed 11 targets and assists this season, highlighting his place within the squad.
Cody Gakpo is the one Liverpool star to occupy an attacking place on this XI
Proper wing – Amad Diallo (MNU)
SofaScore: 6.92/10
Amad Diallo is just a few months again from his AFCON marketing campaign with Ivory Coast, aiding in opposition to South Korea. In solely 28 appearances, Diallo has scored two targets and assisted three extra.
The 23-year-old excels on the best wing, usually placing his sturdy dribbling skill to make use of. He has carried the ball over 153m throughout the league, preferring to stay tight to his most popular proper wing and nearer to the centre line. He has a fantastic skill to be performed by means of and could possibly be a key swing participant to use Liverpool’s midfield in the event that they’re not cautious.
Each Liverpool and Manchester United have the power to be formidable sides however just one will prevail. Between accidents each groups lack squad depth, however United are marginally extra affected. How this performs out for both crew is but to be determined.
It’ll be a six-point sport within the tie for third, however who will come out victorious?
