Mark Lawrenson expects Manchester United and Liverpool to share the points when the two sides meet this weekend.
The former Liverpool defender told Paddy Power that, based on recent results, he thinks the North West rivals will cancel each other out at Old Trafford.
“With the number of substitutions that managers can make now, it’s essentially a 16-man game. If plan A doesn’t work, you can go to plan B or even plan C.”
“I think Manchester United vs Liverpool will finish in a draw. Liverpool lost there in the cup last year, and United came to Liverpool and shut up shop in the league.”
United will be keen to kickstart their season with a victory
After losing in the last minute against Brighton last week, manager Erik ten Hag needs a much-improved performance from his team on Sunday afternoon.
Momentum is always important at the start of the campaign. Especially when you are trying to bed in so many new signings, ten Hag would prefer some breathing space to get his squad playing the way he wants them to.
A draw would not be the worst result in the world, but to make sure the feelgood factor returns to the stands, a win against their fiercest rivals would be massive in terms of the direction of travel this season.
Two key players will be absent for the game
It has been confirmed that Mason Mount could be out for the next five weeks with a hamstring injury. It’s a devastating blow for the midfielder whose time at the club has been beset by fitness issues.
Rasmus Hojlund will also be unavailable for the Liverpool fixture, with ten Hag having stated in his pre-match press conference that the Danish international will only return after the international break.
