LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, April 13, 2022: Liverpool's Roberto Firmino celebrates after scoring the second goal during the UEFA Champions League Quarter-Final 2nd Leg game between Liverpool FC and SL Benfica at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Can Roberto Firmino end 489-day wait for Anfield league goal?

The combination of Anfield and Premier League action has not been kind to Roberto Firmino, but can he finally bring a wait dating back to December 16, 2020, to an end today?

This is the 209th meeting of English football’s two biggest clubs in all competitions and the 178th league encounter.

Liverpool are seeking their first league double over United since 2013/14 and could score at least four times in three consecutive league meetings with United for the first time in their history.

 

Firmino to End Long Wait?

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, April 13, 2022: Liverpool's Roberto Firmino celebrates after scoring the second goal during the UEFA Champions League Quarter-Final 2nd Leg game between Liverpool FC and SL Benfica at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Should Roberto Firmino score twice he will register his 100th goal for the Reds (all competitions).

His last league goal at Anfield came in December 2020 against Tottenham – a 90th minute headed winner.

Sadio Mane, on the other hand, requires two goals to reach 20 in a campaign for the fourth time in his six seasons at Anfield.

 

400 up for the Skipper and Manager?

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, April 2, 2022: Liverpool's manager Jürgen Klopp celebrates with captain Jordan Henderson after the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Watford FC at Anfield. Liverpool won 2-0. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Jordan Henderson’s next appearance will be the 400th of his league career.

And should Liverpool score this evening it will be their 400th goal at Anfield under Jurgen Klopp in all games (this will be game No. 179).

A win will also see Liverpool guaranteed a top-four finish with six games left to play.

 

A First

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Friday, February 4, 2022: Manchester United's manager Ralf Rangnick during the FA Cup 4th Round match between Manchester United FC and Middlesbrough FC at Old Trafford. The game ended 1-1 after extra-time. Middlesbrough won 8-7 on penalties. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Ralf Rangnick takes charge of a team against Liverpool for the first time in his career.

He has only lost two of 13 previous encounters with Klopp – the last league meeting producing a 1-1 draw when he took his Hoffenheim side to Borussia Dortmund in October 2010.

And United have won six of their 15 top-flight away games this season, with five draws and four defeats. The losses have come at Leicester (2-4), Watford (1-4), Manchester City (1-4) and Everton (0-1).

 

Contrasting Fortunes

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Saturday, October 2, 2021: Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo during the FA Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Everton FC at Old Trafford. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Cristiano Ronaldo has scored a hat-trick in two of his last three league games (Tottenham and Norwich at Old Trafford). He needs one goal to record 100 in the Premier League.

Home and away they have conceded 10 goals in the last five league outings and they have not kept an away clean sheet in the last seven league games since a 1-0 victory at Norwich in December.

 

Atkinson’s time

LONDON, ENGLAND - Thursday, January 20, 2022: Arsenal's Thomas Partey is shown a red card, for a second yellow card, and sent off, by referee Martin Atkinson during the Football League Cup Semi-Final 2nd Leg match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at the Emirates Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Martin Atkinson has refereed a match between these teams a total of six times.

Liverpool have won once – the 3-1 Anfield victory in December 2018 – Jose Mourinho’s last game in charge at United.

But this will be his fourth Liverpool game of this season – they have won each of the previous three.

 

This Season’s Scorers

Wembley: Sadio Mane celebrates scoring vs Man City, FA Cup semi final (Image: UK Sports Pics Ltd/Alamy Live News)

Liverpool: Salah 28, Jota 21, Mané 18, Firmino 11, Minamino 9, Fabinho 7, Origi 5, Diaz 3, Henderson 3, Keita 3, Konate 3, Oxlade-Chamberlain 3, Van Dijk 3, Alexander-Arnold 2, Thiago 2, Elliott 1, Gordon 1, Jones 1, Matip 1, Robertson 1, own goals 1

Man United: Ronaldo 21, Bruno Fernandes 9, Greenwood 6, Rashford 5, Sancho 5, Fred 4,Elanga 3, Cavani 2, Lingard 2, McTominay 2, Maguire 2, Martial 1, Pogba 1, Telles 1, Van de Beek 1, own goals 1


* Stats courtesy of LFC statistician Ged Rea (@ged0407).