Merson claims there are two United players who simply cannot be on the pitch at the same time – fans will agree

Having now picked themselves up and dusted themselves off following Monday’s 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United, Manchester United are preparing for one of their most dreaded games of the season: the trip to Anfield.

Indeed, it’s that time of the campaign again when the Reds visit the ground they’ve failed to win at since January 2016. They also haven’t found the back of the net on their arch-rivals’ turf since December 2018 in a 3-1 loss that culminated with Jose Mourinho being relieved of his duties.

Now, it’s time for the two English giants to lock horns again, with both sides absolutely worlds apart in their respective seasons up to this stage. Liverpool sit comfortably atop the table with a six-point lead and a game-in-hand over second-placed Arsenal, while United spent their Christmas in the bottom half of the division for the first time in Premier League history.

They enter matchweek 20 in 14th place and on the back of four straight losses in all competitions. In the last three games, United have conceded seven and scored zero. As such, it’s safe to say Ruben Amorim and his men will arrive on Merseyside as the underdogs by a country mile.

Paul Merson’s Liverpool vs United predictions

Paul Merson believes United will be hit for three goals without registering any in response this weekend. When previewing the contest in his Sportskeeda column, he wrote: “It would be the biggest shock of the season if United win at Anfield.

”I can’t believe what I’m watching from Manchester United right now. The first 20 minutes against Newcastle was like an FA Cup third-round game where a League Two side played at Old Trafford – United were that bad!

“Christian Eriksen and Casemiro have had unbelievable careers, but they can’t play together in the Premier League anymore. This isn’t the Portuguese league; Ruben Amorim has to pick the team accordingly. The team he set up against Newcastle, I actually thought they did well to lose only 2-0! When I saw that line-up, I was like, ‘Wow, this could end up being a big loss for United’.

“I just can’t see United getting anything from this game. I also think it’s inappropriate for Amorim to be saying they are close to a relegation battle. He needs to adapt quickly to the Premier League. Unless Andre Onana has an absolute blinder, Manchester United have no chance in this game. They follow this game up with Arsenal in the FA Cup, and I expect them to lose that as well!”