Liverpool vs Manchester United LIVE: Latest updates with Premier League recreation set to go forward regardless of snow
Liverpool are hosting Manchester United in the Premier League this afternoon as the league leaders looking to extend their lead at the top of the table, with the fixture set to go ahead despite heavy snow overnight.
A second safety meeting was held just before midday to determine whether the clash could be staged at Anfield after an amber weather warning was issued for much of the north of England. And the go-ahead was given with the situation improving in the city after runways had earlier been closed at both Manchester Airport and Liverpool John Lennon Airport amid widespread travel disruption.
With the fixture on, Arne Slot’s side will be looking to further seize control of the title race. More dropped points for Arsenal yesterday only strengthens Liverpool’s position with a game still in hand on their rivals. Things are rather less buoyant at Old Trafford at the moment with the arrival of Ruben Amorim not transforming Manchester United’s fortunes. The visitors have won just two league matches since he took over in November, with recent losses to Wolves and Newcastle illustrating the scale of the job on the Portuguese’s hands.
Follow all the latest news from Anfield in our live blog below:
Team news
A huge boost for Liverpool, who welcome back Ibrahima Konate – he is the only change made by Arne Slot, and he replaces Joe Gomez.
It’s probably as strong a team as Slot can name, with Dominik Szoboszlai and Darwin Nunez the main attacking options from the bench.
Line-ups
Liverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Salah, Jones, Gakpo; Diaz.
Subs: Kelleher, Endo, Nunez, Chiesa, Elliott, Jota, Tsimikas, Quansah, Bradley.
Man Utd XI: Onana; de Ligt, Maguire, Martinez; Mazraoui, Fernandes, Ugarte, Dalot; Amad, Mainoo; Hojlund.
Subs: Bayindir, Malacia, Casemiro, Yoro, Collyer, Eriksen, Antony, Garnacho, Zirkzee.
Team news
Team news is imminent at Anfield. Does Ruben Amorim have a curveball up his sleeve to try and disrupt Liverpool’s planning? All will be revealed…
Recent meetings: Liverpool 7-0 Man Utd
In March 2023, United travelled to Anfield having recently won the Carabao Cup, with manager Erik ten Hag having received plenty of praise for his supposed ‘turnaround’ of the club. However, the Dutchman was soon to endure one of the worst matches in United’s history.
Towards the end of a first half that was surprisingly even, the hosts struck first through Cody Gakpo to bring the game to life. From there, it was all downhill for United as Gakpo and Darwin Nunez added two more goals before the 50-minute mark in the second half.
In a match of comical defending and ridiculous goals, Mo Salah struck twice either side of Nunez’s second, before Bobby Firmino put the icing on the cake for home fans in the 88th minute to cap off a historic day at Anfield.
Arne Slot reveals surprise Liverpool benefit from Trent Alexander-Arnold transfer saga
Arne Slot has claimed that the saga about Trent Alexander-Arnold’s future is helpful to him as it prevents his Liverpool players from being overloaded with praise that could make them complacent.
Real Madrid made an initial approach for the right-back this week, which Liverpool rebuffed before the Champions League holders could even make a bid.
But Alexander-Arnold, along with Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, is out of contract in the summer and could leave Anfield on a free transfer. The 26-year-old has been able to discuss a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs since New Year’s Day and Real have made no secret of their interest in him.
Liverpool’s contract situations
A reminder that Alexander-Arnold is now free to negotiate with other clubs as he has just six months left on his contract. Plenty of speculation surrounds the right-back, though another two key players are also in the middle of contract negotiations – Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk.
Like Alexander-Arnold, Salah’s situation is receiving plenty of attention due to his on-field exploits and the appearance that the contract is no closer to being agreed.
Van Dijk’s situation appears a lot more easy to resolve, with many reports circulating that it is only a matter of time before the Dutchman agrees a new deal.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot responds to Trent Alexander-Arnold concerns amid Real Madrid transfer interest
Manchester United make Harry Maguire contract decision and issue Amad Diallo update
Head coach Ruben Amorim, who said Amad Diallo is also close to agreeing an extended deal, said he was happy to tie Maguire down for another year but called on the centre back to be more of a leader.
Maguire joined United for £80m in 2019, a world-record fee for a defender, but was stripped of the captaincy by former manager Erik ten Hag in 2023. But he worked his way back into the team last season, and with Amorim preferring to play a back three, he has started each of their last three games.
Recent meetings: Man Utd 4-3 Liverpool
Last season, United managed to scrape some decent results against their old rivals as the Jurgen Klopp era came to an end. A 2-2 draw in the league at Old Trafford came as Liverpool’s title challenge faded, but it was in the FA Cup where the Theatre of Dreams lived up to its name for home fans.
Klopp’s side travelled to Manchester as obvious favourites ahead of their FA Cup quarter-final tie in March, but United were ahead within 10 minutes thanks to Scott McTominay bundling in from close range.
From there though, the visitors dominated, with Alexis Mac Allister equalising and then Mo Salah giving them the lead before half-time. It looked like petering out into a simple win for Liverpool, before Antony struck in the 87th minute to force extra-time.
However, the Reds once again grabbed the lead through Harvey Elliott, before Marcus Rashford rifled in another equaliser and penalties loomed.
Nevertheless, there was time for one more twist in the tale, as United countered from a Liverpool corner and Garnacho laid it off to Amad Diallo, who squeezed in a shot across goal and past Kelleher to spark bedlam at Old Trafford.
Marcus Rashford rejects Saudi Arabia move amid speculation over Manchester United exit
It is understood that Saudi Arabian clubs were the first to act on this, with three of them making offers that would involve wages in excess of Rashford’s £315,000-a-week contract at United. The player has already turned these down, and has made it known he is unwilling to move to Turkey, as he desires a move that would help to win back his England place in time for the 2026 World Cup.
