Liverpool head down the M62 to face Man United, knowing a win against their great rivals would move them up to third in the Premier League.
Man United vs. Liverpool
Premier League (35) | Old Trafford
May 3, 2026 | 3.30pm (BST)
While defeats against Paris Saint-Germain and Man City in the cups were bitterly disappointing, Liverpool have begun to exhibit better form in the league.
Arne Slot‘s side have won their last three matches in the competition and a fourth consecutive victory, over Man United, would represent their longest winning streak in the league since September.
Liverpool can move above Man United
The two biggest teams in the country head into this game occupying third and fourth in the table.
While both sides have all but qualified for next season’s Champions League, the pressure is still on for the biggest game in English football.
A win for the visitors would take them above Man United and into third place on goal difference, but three points for Michael Carrick’s side would see them move six points clear of Liverpool.
Liverpool team news: Alisson is a doubt
Freddie Woodman may have to retain his place in goal because Alisson had still not returned to training as of Friday.
Slot explained: “[He’s] very close to training with us. I have to hear today from medical staff if he’s able to train today, tomorrow or otherwise the start of next week.
“He’s very close, but we of course also don’t want to take any risk, because that’s never what you do with a player and that’s also what we do now.”
Starting XI prediction
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, January 27, 2026: Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister (L) and Jeremie Frimpong during a training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the UEFA Champions League match between Liverpool FC and Qaraba? FK. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
With Hugo Ekitike missing and Mo Salah ruled out for the next couple of games as a minimum, Slot may use Jeremie Frimpong as his right winger.
Having not started last weekend, Ryan Gravenberch should come back in to play with Dominik Szoboszlai in midfield, while we would expect Florian Wirtz to retain his place in the side as he tries to build an on-field connection with Alexander Isak.
Milos Kerkez has had “some niggles” in training this week, said Slot, but he was back with the team on Friday.
Predicted LFC XI: Woodman; Jones, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Frimpong, Wirtz, Gakpo; Isak
Man Utd’s improvement under Michael Carrick
Premier League Form
Manchester United
Opponent Result Form
Brentford (H) 2-1 W
Chelsea (A) 0-1 W
Leeds (H) 1-2 L
Bournemouth (A) 2-2 D
Aston Villa (H) 3-1 W
Note: Most recent matches (top to bottom). Correct as of May 1, 2026.
While Man United were showing signs of improvement under Ruben Amorim, they were still falling well below expectations in the first half of the season.
However, they are now playing their best football in years thanks to the appointment of interim boss Carrick, and they are on course to record a top-four finish after finishing the previous two campaigns in eighth and 15th.
In the 2024/25 season, Man United finished with 42 points to occupy 15th place, their lowest position since they were relegated from the top flight in 1973/74.
This season, they are 22 points better off than at the same stage of the previous campaign. Last season, after 34 games they had 39 points.
Man United team news
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Monday, April 27, 2026: Manchester United's head coach Michael Carrick applauds the supporters after the FA Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Brentford FC at Old Trafford. Man Utd won 2-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Matheus Cunha is the main topic of Man United‘s team news. Having missed Monday’s win over Brentford, Carrick said of the Brazilian: “Matheus has done a little bit of work so we’re hopeful. We’re not sure but we’re hopeful.”
Luke Shaw’s availability is in doubt, too, the coach explaining: “We aren’t sure if he will be ready, but we are hopeful.”
Meanwhile, Matthijs de Ligt is still out injured and Lisandro Martinez is serving the third match of his suspension after being sent off against Leeds.
How to watch Man United vs. Liverpool
Kicking off at 3.30pm (BST) on May 3, Man United vs. Liverpool will be broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League in the UK.
Over in the US, Peacock and Telemundo are showing the match, while Fubo TV and DAZN are the places to go if you are watching from Canada.
Alternatively, you can follow This Is Anfield‘s live coverage or find worldwide listings at Live Soccer TV.
A few stats you should know
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, December 13, 2025: Liverpool's substitute Mohamed Salah on the bench before the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
This is the 218th meeting of the teams and the 186th in league football – all bar four of those have come in the top flight.
A Liverpool clean sheet on Sunday would mark the first time they have not conceded at Old Trafford in consecutive games since January 2002.
Unfortunately, Salah won’t be available to sink one last blow into Man United.
The Egyptian has scored more goals against them than he has against any other team, with 16 goals in 18 appearances – that is more than any player in the history of the fixture.
How Liverpool could secure top-five place against Man United?
Going into the weekend’s round of fixtures, it is possible for the Reds to secure a top-five finish against Man United, though this may not be the case come kick-off.
For Liverpool to wrap up Champions League qualification this weekend, they need to beat Man United while Brighton would have to drop points at Newcastle and Bournemouth drop points against Crystal Palace.
Last time we met
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, October 19, 2025: Manchester United's Harry Maguire scores the second goal during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester United FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Liverpool won this fixture 3-0 last season in just the third match of Slot’s reign, before drawing the return game 2-2 at Anfield.
This season’s first clash with Man United was one to forget as the Red Devils won their first game at Anfield since 2016.
Liverpool had levelled through Cody Gakpo in the 78th minute, but just six minutes later, Harry Maguire headed in the winner after some particularly lax defending.
Who is the referee for Man United vs. Liverpool?
LONDON, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 13, 2022: Referee Darren England during the FA Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Leicester City FC at the Emirates Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
After recently being named as the referee for this year’s FA Cup final, Darren England is to take charge of Man United vs. Liverpool.
He will be assisted on the touchlines by Tim Wood and Akil Howson, as well as fourth official Anthony Taylor.
Meanwhile, Stuart Attwell will be the video assistant referee, with support from assistant VAR Constantine Hatzidakis, the linesman who elbowed Andy Robertson in the face back in 2023.
Follow the match with TIA
Man United vs. Liverpool is live on Sky Sports Main Event with kick-off at 3.30pm (BST).
TIA’s matchday live blog will be up and running from 2.45pm, with Harry McMullen tasked to keep you entertained and up-to-date.
Come on you Reds!