Premier League: why a cagey affair is on the cards at Anfield

Liverpool and Manchester United renew their hostilities in the Premier League on Tuesday, with the Anfield club aiming to cap a fine few days by moving top of the table on at least a temporary basis.

Jurgen Klopp’s side are into the FA Cup final thanks to a 3-2 win over Manchester City on Saturday to continue their chase for an unprecedented quadruple. The Reds, though, can ill afford any slips but are hot 1.42 favourites to win this match. A draw is on offer at 5.4 while Manchester United, who are chasing fourth, are 8.2 outsiders.

Reds on the charge

Liverpool are a side that has grown used to victory in recent months. Indeed, since drawing 2-2 with Chelsea on January 2, they have picked up nine wins from 10 Premier League matches. The exception was a 2-2 draw with Man City at the Etihad little over a week ago.

This run has seen their chance of winning the title increase to 29%, having been as low as 6% at the turn of the year. Meanwhile, they have dominated their rivalry with Man United in recent years.

Although they lost in last season’s FA Cup to the Red Devils, they are undefeated in the league against the Old Trafford side in seven and famously ran out 5-0 winners at the home of their rivals in October.

Liverpool in top form at present

Man Utd’s Anfield troubles

United, meanwhile, have not won at Anfield in their last six visits and during that time they have managed only a single goal. Far from the swashbuckling side of the Sir Alex Ferguson age, they have cut a more pragmatic shape when visiting their rivals in recent years and have picked up a 0-0 draw in three of their last five visits.

Indeed, this is not a fixture that has typically produced many goals in recent years. Since Fergie departed Man United in 2013, only two of the eight league matches between these clubs on Merseyside have produced more than two goals.

Given the circumstances, interim boss Ralf Rangnick would likely accept a low-key draw on Tuesday. He watched his side struggle past Norwich on Saturday shortly before Liverpool dismantled City on what was another day that emphasised the gulf between the clubs.

Anfield fixtures typically lower key

History and form points towards Liverpool for this match, though the Anfield fixtures between these sides have typically produced fewer goals than those at Old Trafford. Backing against fewer than 3.5 goals at 1.65 is good value given that only one of the last 12 between these sides in Liverpool has seen more goals.

In the scoring markets, look to Sadio Mane to continue his good form, priced at 2.42 on the anytime market, while for Man Utd, odds of 3.2 on Cristiano Ronaldo to net at any point must be worth consideration given that he netted a weekend hat-trick and will be on penalty duty. This is the type of stage he thrives on.

Recommended bets

Under 3.5 goals @ 1.65

Anytime scorer: Sadio Mane @ 2.42

Anytime scorer: Cristiano Ronaldo @ 3.2