Peter Crouch has backed Liverpool to beat Manchester United comfortably this weekend.
The Reds are in the ascendency at the moment, sitting top of the Premier League table heading towards Christmas. United meanwhile are coming off the back of 3-0 loss against Bournemouth and a Champions League exit.
Nevertheless, these games will always bring a certain amount of nervousness among fans of both teams. Despite that though, Crouch has told That Peter Crouch Podcast that he expects his old team to rack up another big scoreline on Sunday.
“I’ve gone 4-0,” said the 42-year-old. “United, as much as you have a go at them have won four of the last five, but I think Liverpool can [win the league].”
Having beaten United by a combined score of 11-0 over the last two games at Anfield, Crouchy thinks another big one is being lined up.
Liverpool backed for United walloping
Liverpool have to be really careful of predicting these kinds of scores for this weekend. Crouch hasn’t been the only one to back the Reds for a big win.
On paper, you can understand the reasons for that. Liverpool are clearly in a better place right now and have smashed their old rivals a number of times in recent years.
Along with last season’s 7-0, they beat United 4-0 and 5-0 during the previous campaign, too. For whatever reason, Jurgen Klopp’s side seem to have the Red Devils’ number.
United also head to Anfield with a concerningly long list of absentees, meaning it could be something of a makeshift XI.
However, this is still Manchester United. For all of their travails under Erik ten Hag this season, they’ve actually been on a fairly good run of late.
Liverpool will have to be wary of complacency. They’ve made these massive score-lines the norm in these games recently, but they really aren’t.
Of course, there is every chance that the Reds do turn up and prove Crouch and co right. They’re certainly capable. But we’ve just got a feeling that it won’t be quite as straightforward as we’ve become used to. That doesn’t matter, as long as Liverpool make sure they get the points.
Their game is last on the schedule this weekend, meaning that Arsenal, Aston Villa and Manchester City will have already played. By kick-off on Sunday, the Reds could have dropped from first to third place. They’ll need to answer back.
It sets off a massive week at Anfield, with both West Ham United and Arsenal set to visit by Saturday. It doesn’t have to be a 4-0, but Liverpool need to make sure they put United to bed on Sunday.
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