‘Big trouble’ - Chris Sutton issues brutal score prediction for Man Utd clash vs Liverpool

Chris Sutton has predicted that Manchester United will be heavily beaten by bitter rivals Liverpool when the two sides meet at Old Trafford on Monday evening.

Neither team have won a match in the Premier League this season, with United having recorded two consecutive defeats, and Jurgen Klopp’s men having been frustrated in back-to-back draws.

The Red Devils’ form has been of particular concern, however, and Saturday evening’s 4-0 humbling against Brentford left Erik ten Hag’s side languishing at the foot of the table.

Sutton is of the opinion that things will get drastically worse for United too, and has delivered a frank appraisal of their chances against last year’s Champions League finalists.

Speaking to BBC Sport, he said: “If Manchester United win this game, they leapfrog Liverpool in the table, but that is not going to happen.

“United aren’t able to press teams with the players they have got, and I don’t really know what Erik ten Hag can change with what he has got in his squad.

“Liverpool have started slowly too, and Darwin Nunez’s suspension won’t help on top of their injuries. That leaves them a bit short up front, although Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz looked lively against Palace.

“Whatever happens, you just know Jurgen Klopp’s side will outwork United at the very least.

“Maybe United’s players will run around a little bit more this week than they did against Brentford, but they need to find some heart. Unless something happens this week that triggers a change in attitude in the squad, I don’t see it happening.

“The home crowd will be willing them to take the game to Liverpool, and if they do that then they are in big trouble because that’s when Klopp’s side are at their best.

“They won 5-0 at Old Trafford last season and it is going to be a similar story this time, although I am going to give United a goal just to lift their spirits a little.”

Sutton has predicted that United will lose 5-1.

Ten Hag will be bidding to avoid a third consecutive defeat in just his third match in charge of the club. The last manager to lose their first three league matches with United was John Chapman in 1921.