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DPA
London
In any normal year, the prospect of a Liverpool-Manchester United clash would capture most of the attention on any given Premier League weekend.
But as the two sides prepare to meet at Anfield on Sunday, a whopping 27 points separate leaders Liverpool from United in fifth.
The fact that the only two points Liverpool have dropped all season came at United might give Ole Gunnar Solsksjaer’s side some hope.
But with Liverpool set to be further strengthened by the return from injury of Fabinho, Joel Matip and Dejan Lovren, it is Juergen Klopp’s side who will be huge favourites to maintain their incredible streak.
“It looks like Joel will be in, it looks like Fabinho will be in maybe a day later, I’m not sure. Dejan, maybe he can be in as well,” Klopp said.
“That means a lot and helps massively of course. But we will see how it looks. The week is very important.
“The game on Sunday against United, we all know what people expect from us from that game. It will be a big one as well and we try to be ready for that.”
But while Liverpool will expect to make it 64 points out of 66 as they chase their first top-flight title since 1990, much of the attention will be on the other end of the table as bottom side Norwich host second-bottom Bournemouth.
Norwich go into the game having been beaten 4-0 at Manchester United last time out, leaving them six points adrift and eight short of safety, Bournemouth have lost nine of their last 11 games to drop into the bottom three.
“We know that a game at Old Trafford is not a season-defining game for us, so we’re not too down, we will keep on going,” Norwich manager Daniel Farke said.
“We are definitely in the worst position but we’re competitive (in most games). We are struggling with many injuries and we are realistic, we know that when you are not switched on, this can happen.
“It’s a chance to add some points. Hopefully some injured players will come back for the game.”
Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe is under pressure after his side’s terrible run of form.
“You’re always looking at whether you’re doing good enough and whether ultimately you’re helping the team, that’s something I’ll have to reflect on,” Howe said.
“One result never dictates your season, but the group of results does. Unfortunately we’re in a difficult moment. We need to lift ourselves out.
“We need to rediscover our belief in the team. For me, that’s the only thing missing because we’ve got good players.
“I don’t doubt the players’ quality because they’ve proved and delivered it before. That’s been chipped away at and that’s my biggest challenge, to re-find that.”
Watford will look to continue the superb run that has taken them out of the bottom three as they host Tottenham.
Second-placed Manchester City welcome Crystal Palace, third-placed Leicester go to Burnley and fourth-placed Chelsea are away to Newcastle.
Arsenal meet Sheffield United, Southampton play Wolves, Brighton take on Aston Villa and West Ham face Everton in the weekend’s other games.
London
In any normal year, the prospect of a Liverpool-Manchester United clash would capture most of the attention on any given Premier League weekend.
But as the two sides prepare to meet at Anfield on Sunday, a whopping 27 points separate leaders Liverpool from United in fifth.
The fact that the only two points Liverpool have dropped all season came at United might give Ole Gunnar Solsksjaer’s side some hope.
But with Liverpool set to be further strengthened by the return from injury of Fabinho, Joel Matip and Dejan Lovren, it is Juergen Klopp’s side who will be huge favourites to maintain their incredible streak.
“It looks like Joel will be in, it looks like Fabinho will be in maybe a day later, I’m not sure. Dejan, maybe he can be in as well,” Klopp said.
“That means a lot and helps massively of course. But we will see how it looks. The week is very important.
“The game on Sunday against United, we all know what people expect from us from that game. It will be a big one as well and we try to be ready for that.”
But while Liverpool will expect to make it 64 points out of 66 as they chase their first top-flight title since 1990, much of the attention will be on the other end of the table as bottom side Norwich host second-bottom Bournemouth.
Norwich go into the game having been beaten 4-0 at Manchester United last time out, leaving them six points adrift and eight short of safety, Bournemouth have lost nine of their last 11 games to drop into the bottom three.
“We know that a game at Old Trafford is not a season-defining game for us, so we’re not too down, we will keep on going,” Norwich manager Daniel Farke said.
“We are definitely in the worst position but we’re competitive (in most games). We are struggling with many injuries and we are realistic, we know that when you are not switched on, this can happen.
“It’s a chance to add some points. Hopefully some injured players will come back for the game.”
Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe is under pressure after his side’s terrible run of form.
“You’re always looking at whether you’re doing good enough and whether ultimately you’re helping the team, that’s something I’ll have to reflect on,” Howe said.
“One result never dictates your season, but the group of results does. Unfortunately we’re in a difficult moment. We need to lift ourselves out.
“We need to rediscover our belief in the team. For me, that’s the only thing missing because we’ve got good players.
“I don’t doubt the players’ quality because they’ve proved and delivered it before. That’s been chipped away at and that’s my biggest challenge, to re-find that.”
Watford will look to continue the superb run that has taken them out of the bottom three as they host Tottenham.
Second-placed Manchester City welcome Crystal Palace, third-placed Leicester go to Burnley and fourth-placed Chelsea are away to Newcastle.
Arsenal meet Sheffield United, Southampton play Wolves, Brighton take on Aston Villa and West Ham face Everton in the weekend’s other games.
