Old Trafford is ready for a Premier League classic as Manchester United host Liverpool in Round 35. The numbers point to a sharp contrast in styles, which should make for a lively 90 minutes. Follow it on Sofascore for live momentum, lineups, and every Sofascore Rating in real time.

Possession and chance creation

Liverpool arrive as the higher-possession side at 59.5% on average, with 18,151 total passes and 85.6% accuracy. Manchester United sit at 52.5% possession with 15,962 passes at 82.9% accuracy, but they have produced slightly more big chances (95 vs 91) and more shots on target (194 vs 154) from virtually identical shot volumes.

From open play, both teams lean inside the box for goals (49 each). United carry a bigger headed threat with 13 headed goals, while Liverpool build sustained pressure through volume, leading corners 202 to 161 and total crosses 684 to 584. Expect plenty of entries into the area on both ends.

Defensive snapshot

Clean sheets favor Liverpool 10 to 6 and shots on target faced are similar (133 vs United’s 126). United concede fewer big chances (66 vs 73) and have fewer errors leading to goals (3 vs 5), which hints at slightly tidier box defending.

In duels, Liverpool win more in the air at 54.5% while United are marginally stronger on the ground at 51.9%. Clearances are high for both back lines, with Liverpool at 902 and United at 857, underscoring the volume of balls arriving into the penalty area.

Expected shapes and players to watch

Both sides are listed in a 4-2-3-1. For Manchester United, Bruno Fernandes leads the season’s averages with a Sofascore Rating of 7.55, backed by Casemiro at 7.22. Diogo Dalot and Harry Maguire have both been steady around the 6.87 mark, while Benjamin Šeško adds a vertical presence up front.

Liverpool’s spine looks strong on paper. Virgil van Dijk (7.26) and Ibrahima Konaté (7.12) anchor the back line, with Dominik Szoboszlai (7.18) offering drive from midfield. Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch, Florian Wirtz and Cody Gakpo bring creativity around the box, with Alexander Isak as the central reference.

Transitions, set pieces and dribbles

Liverpool lead fast breaks 50 to 38 and fast break goals 5 to 4, a sign they can flip the field quickly. They also attempt more dribbles, 544 to 458, with 272 successful, which should test United’s 626 tackles and 278 interceptions.

United’s 13 headed goals against Liverpool’s stronger aerial win rate creates a fun subplot on set pieces. With 18 times hitting the woodwork for United and 14 for Liverpool, both attacks have lived on fine margins this season.

Odds, referee and what to expect

The full-time market tilts slightly toward Manchester United at 5/4, with the draw at 14/5 and Liverpool at 47/25. The Asian handicap lists United at -0.25 around evens, which shows only a mild lean. Interpret responsibly.

Referee Darren England has shown 1,203 yellow cards and 26 reds across 322 games, roughly 3.7 yellows per match. That profile, combined with two aggressive midfields, suggests a competitive tempo. Track the flow, cards and every chance on Sofascore, where live momentum and Sofascore Ratings tell the story as it happens.