Man Utd vs Liverpool: Pre-season friendly - LIVE!
Manchester United take on their biggest rivals Liverpool tonight in what is likely to be more of the more intense pre-season friendlies.
With the Community Shield looming, this will be Erik ten Hag’s final opportunity to watch his players in action before stepping out at Wembley against Manchester City.
The Red Devils downed Real Betis earlier this week to make it two wins from four in a summer which has been marred by injuries in rather typical fashion.
How to watch Man United vs Liverpool: TV channel and live stream
Liverpool have also gotten the better of Betis before overcoming Arsenal in a bright start to Arne Slot’s debut pre-season in the dugout.
They still have over a fortnight to prepare for their season getting underway and, having not made a signing, the new manager is ensuring he gets to grips with his squad before making any drastic changes.
The match will take place at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina.
TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on MUTV and LFCTV.
Live stream: Fans can catch the contest live online via the official club apps and websites.
Live blog: You can follow all the action tonight via Standard Sport’s live blog.
Pre-match build-up
This should be a fun test of both defences with a little bit more pressure on United, given this is their final friendly.
A 2-2 draw
The tide has turned in this derby. Liverpool lost only two of 15 meetings from March 2016 to April 2022. However, the Merseyside giants have won only once in their five matches since.
Man Utd wins: 91
Liverpool wins: 81
Draws: 70
Team news: Injuries for both sides
Leny Yoro and Rasmus Hojlund have been ruled out for three months and six weeks, respectively, as injuries once again hit United.
Marcus Rashford and Antony were forced off against Real Betis, so are doubts. The Red Devils will welcome back their Euro 2024 and Copa America stars after this game, so Harry Amass could continue at left-back.
Ten Hag has confirmed the club won’t take risks on Rashford.
Curtis Jones overcame a knock to start in Liverpool’s win over Arsenal.
After a 4-2-2-2 formation was deployed against Real Betis, Slot returned to a more orthodox 4-3-3 last time out with Mohamed Salah in his usual spot on the right wing.
Like United, they remain without several international stars.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot paid tribute to Harvey Elliott
Liverpool boss Arne Slot paid tribute to Harvey Elliott’s display against Arsenal in midweek as the midfielder makes himself the standout player for his team’s pre-season.
The new manager said: “He had two great assists, but what I believe is that the team created these assists for him as well.
“Playing out from the back, getting him in the right positions – or another No10. Then it is up to him to bring the most of these situations and he did that today with two assists.
“If I am a bit hard on him, I think there were two or three other situations where he could have done better.
“But that's what the team is doing for him; we make sure he and the other ones like Mo [Salah] and like Fabio [Carvalho] come in the right positions where they can show their quality. Harvey did that today with two good assists.”
The venue: Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia
We are in the city of Columbia in the state of South Carolina in southeastern USA tonight as Williams-Brice Stadium plays host to arguably English football’s biggest clubs.
Built in 1934 but renovated several times to the 78,000-seater arena it is today, it is the home of American College Football team the South Carolina Gamecocks.
The upper east deck is known to physically sway at moments of serious jubilation from the fans but we’re unlikely to see that tonight.
Beyonce and Jay-Z are among the artists to have played, while Pope John Paul II and Barack Obama have also addressed crowds here. Presumably not on the same night...
Pre-season clash comes at the right time for both sides
This is it for the Red Devils, who are now less than a week away from starting their season in the Community Shield against Man City.
Erik ten Hag’s fine-tuning will continue after this game of course, with the return of their Euro 2024 and Copa America contingent, but there is a little extra pressure to get things right to round off their tour of the USA.
Liverpool also head home after this clash in South Carolina but have an extra week to prepare for the Premier League’s kick-off, having won both of their games so far in pre-season.
Stay tuned for all the build-up, team news, match action and reaction!
