'100 per cent': Steve Nicol says 'nightmare' factor will decide Liverpool against Manchester United today

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Liverpool will want to put on a show for the home fans when Manchester United arrive today.The Reds have not been in their finest form in the Premier League, with two 2-1 losses to Crystal Palace and Chelsea seeing the side slip down to second in the table after their early unbeaten run.They now have an opportunity after the international break to try and regain some momentum, which they will hope to do against long-time rivals United in one of the biggest fixtures in football.Join our newsletter for news & smart analysis. Arne Slot will have to figure out exactly what his best team is when Ruben Amorim’s men come to Anfield, given the Red Devils do show up in the big games and have drawn their last two at the ground.While there is a sense of worry from supporters, given they know what can happen in a fixture like this, former player turned pundit Steve Nicol is confident that the result will go in favour of his old team.Photo by Marco Steinbrenner/DeFodi Images via Getty ImagesSteve Nicol says Anfield will be a ‘nightmare’ for Manchester United as he predicts Liverpool winThe Scotsman has, as have many in the media, been critical of Liverpool’s start to the season, given the fact that they have had issues in positions across the pitch, including their defence.However, Nicol believes that the home advantage for Slot’s side will be too much for Amorim and his team, especially with the run they have been on, he expects the fans to be in full voice.READ MORE: Ally McCoist makes ‘interesting’ prediction about Liverpool vs Man United after Red Devils improvementSpeaking to ESPN, the 63-year-old predicted that the Reds will win 2-1 in this game and believes everything about the game will be a ‘nightmare’ for United.He explained: “100% Anfield factor.

I mean, Manchester United, if there was one place that they could choose, if somebody gave them a wish, they would choose never to go and play Liverpool at Anfield ever again. I mean, just everything about this fixture is a nightmare for Manchester United.

You certainly can’t go for Liverpool in terms of form, in terms of defence, in terms of Mo Salah.“I mean, there are so many things that are not quite working right now for Liverpool, but still, it’s Anfield. So, I think Liverpool take it.”Liverpool will need to choose their substitutes carefullyMany things about this fixture point to a win for Liverpool, including the form of the Red Devils, but their own run of defeats is still an issue, given the performances.One thing that will be incredibly decisive is who they choose to come off the bench.What Slot is used to doing is putting as many attackers on the pitch, mainly in a losing position, to either rescue a point or secure three points.Here, he will have to be much more careful, given that Amorim’s team will favour a long-ball over the top, which means they have to have a strong and tall defence.Federico Chiesa should make an appearance to add something extra to the attack, but in terms of other reinforcements, it may be best to focus on shoring up the defence to not concede.