MANCHESTER UNITED seem to be in perpetual crisis and their fans must be dreading another potential humiliation at the hands of their biggest rivals when they travel to Liverpool on Sunday.
Beleaguered manager Erik ten Hag's days look seriously numbered after a calamitous season continued in midweek as they crashed out of Europe by finishing bottom of their Champions League group following yet another tame defeat, this time to Bayern Munich. That followed a hammering at home by Bournemouth.
They look to be a complete shambles on and off the pitch and reports have suggested failed for ex-Chelsea manager Graham Potter is next in line.
Just about the only positive they can take is that they will be going some if they were to eclipse last season's record-breaking 7-0 capitulation at Anfield.
In contrast. Liverpool are digging our victories that win you titles. After drawing at Manchester City, they have fought and dug in to gain last-gasp wins against Fulham and at Crystal Palace as well as beating Sheffield United in Yorkshire.
In midweek, they lost to Union St-Gilloise in Belgium but Jurgen Klopp had the luxury of being able to rotate almost his entire team because they had already qualified.
They are nowhere near top gear yet and although normally, they would have been wary of a wounded United, it's hard to see their class of 2023/24 doing anything other than rolling over for another humiliation.
How the bookies view it
Liverpool are as short as 1/4 in some places although there is a touch of 3/10 with Coral for the big-hitters and accas.
Manchester United can be backed at an unprecedented 9/1 for their trip to Merseyside, with the draw 24/5 with bet365.
Recent head to heads
Liverpool famously scudded United 7-0 back in March for their all-time record win over their rivals.
And although United won at Old Trafford, the previous season Liverpool won 4-0 at Anfield and 5-0 at Old Trafford.
Players to watch
Mo Salah was the man who got Liverpool back on track at Crystal Palace last week and the mercurial Egyptian is a tempting 5/6 to score anytime with bet365.
Scott McTominay is one of the few United players who looks up for the fight and of course chips in with plenty of goals for club and country. The Scotland star is 7/1 to score anytime with Paddy Power.
Anything else catch the eye?
If Liverpool turn up, this could be another one-sided embarrassment for their rivals.
Despite United being crammed full of players who should be far better on paper than they are, they seem to lack even basic professional pride and look shambolic guided by a hapless manager who looks increasingly out of his depth.
Back Liverpool to win this to nil at a decent price of 7/4 with 10Bet.
The hosts will be fired up to add to United's misery here and they should be backed on the handicap at -2 at 15/8 with Paddy Power in what could be another long day for United.
This English Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester United will be played on Dec 17, 2023 and kick off at 16:30. Check below for our tipsters best Liverpool vs Manchester United prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
