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2022/23 English Premier League
Matchday 26
Liverpool v Manchester United
Anfield
Liverpool, England
Sunday, 5 March 2023
Kick-off is at 18h30
Fresh from winning their first trophy under Erik ten Hag, Manchester United will their their attention back to the
Premier League for a much-anticipated clash with Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, March 5.
The Red Devils enjoyed a successful week as they beat Newcastle 2-0 at Wembley last Sunday to claim the EFL Cup title, having knocked Barcelona out of the Europa League just three days earlier to qualify for the last 16.
Ten Hag's side have also made a push for the domestic crown after winning seven of their last 10 league encounters and losing just once to sit eight points behind leaders Arsenal in third place.
The Gunners maintained their two-point lead over Manchester City with a 1-0 win at Leicester last Saturday as the Citizens kept pace after recording a convincing 4-1 victory on the south coast against Bournemouth.
Tottenham closed to within four points of United in fourth position following their 2-0 London derby triumph over Chelsea last Sunday, although they have played one game more.
The Reds' inconsistency surfaced once more when they were held to a goalless draw by Crystal Palace last Saturday, which left them nine points adrift of the top four in seventh spot.
However, none of the other clubs around them managed to make up any ground either in the chase for Champions League football after Fulham (6th) and (9th) both drew, while Brighton (8th) and Chelsea (10th) suffered defeats.
Jurgen Klopp's team arrested a four-match winless run with back-to-back victories over Everton and Newcastle before the stalemate at Palace.
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Virgil van Dijk has only made two league appearances since recovering from a hamstring injury that sidelined him for four games and the Dutch defender will have his work out out for him as he looks to contain Marcus Rashford. Van Dijk hasn't been anywhere near his best for the Merseysiders this season, having been part of a defence that has kept just six clean sheets.
Rashford been been outstanding for the Red Devils since returning from the World Cup, scoring 17 goals in 19 appearances across all competitions, including six in his last five league games. The 25-year-old forward is already enjoying his most productive campaign in a United shirt, having bagged 25 goals in 38 outings.
In team news, the hosts continue to be without a handful of first-team regulars, with Thiago Alcantara (groin), Luis Diaz (knee), Joe Gomez (muscular), Ibrahima Konate (thigh) and Darwin Nunez (should) all missing the visit of their fierce rivals. Christian Eriksen (ankle) and Anthony Martial (groin) remain unavailable for the visitors alongside long-term absentee Donny van de Beek (knee).
Klopp viewed the result against the Eagles as a point gained rather than two points dropped and has urged his players to keep going as they look to make something of their disastrous season.
"We have to keep going, take the things and go again. Take the things and go again. That's what we will do," the German said.
"Nothing really changed tonight but again we can see it two ways. We didn't win, that sounds very negative, [or] we have a point more than before, I think that sounds pretty positive. So, we can choose."
Ten Hag ended ended a six-year trophy drought at Old Trafford with the EFL Cup triumph and he believes his decision to gamble on United has been vindicated.
"Maybe it was a risk but I'm a little bit stubborn! And I just love United," the Dutchman said. "When I see our shirts, when I see our bond with the fans, when I see Old Trafford, when I see [a] legacy like Sir Alex [Ferguson] left.
"So many big players were developed in United teams and it makes a big impression - we want to do the same.
"This team wants to make its own history, its own legacy. When this opportunity came, I thought this is the right club for me, I want to be a part of it."
Head-to-Head (Last Five Premier League Meetings)
Matches - 5
Liverpool - 3
Man United - 1
Draws - 1
Premier League fixtures - matchday 26:
Saturday, March 4
14h30: Manchester City v Newcastle United
17h00: Arsenal v Bournemouth
17h00: Aston Villa v Crystal Palace
17h00: Brighton & Hove Albion v West Ham United
17h00: Chelsea v Leeds United
17h00: Wolverhampton Wanderers v Tottenham Hotspur
19h30: Southampton v Leicester City
Sunday, March 5
16h00: Nottingham Forest v Everton
18h30: Liverpool v Manchester United
Monday, March 6
22h00: Brentford v Fulham
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