Slot Chases a Historic Premier League Milestone in Liverpool's Derby Duel with Manchester United
18 October 2025
Match Preview
Dutch coach Arne Slot, Liverpool's manager, is chasing a historic Premier League milestone as his side host Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday for the ninth round of the season.
If Liverpool win, Slot would reach 100 English top-flight points from 46 matches, a feat that would place him ahead of any previous Liverpool manager in terms of pace to the century.
In that scenario, Slot would beat Kenny Dalglish's 48-game mark to claim a club record and make the Kop roar even louder as the ball finds the net for the 50th time in the league under his watch at Anfield.
Meanwhile, if any Liverpool player finds the net, the team would reach 50 league goals under Slot at Anfield this season.
Form, Stakes, and Key Facts
Liverpool sits second in the table with 15 points, one behind leaders Arsenal, and faces a United side that has started slowly and sits in 10th on 10 points.
Liverpool are eager to regain balance after back-to-back league losses to Crystal Palace and Chelsea, while United look to disrupt the home comfort and climb the standings.
The club will lean on the home crowd and their midfield to unlock United's defense as the game becomes a test of tactics and nerve in a fixture that rarely disappoints.
Salah arrives aiming to rediscover form after a dip, while the newcomers Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak try to leave their mark and add firepower to the attack.
Key Players, Defensive Realities, and Subplots
On the defensive side, Liverpool under Slot have conceded nine goals in seven league games, underscoring the challenge ahead for a back line that needs solidity against United's questions in attack.
United have not won at Anfield since 2016, but they have collected two positive results across their last two visits, including a draw against Liverpool in a recent meeting, which adds an extra layer of intensity to this encounter.
Arsenal continue to shine at the top despite injuries to players like Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz, with a London derby against Fulham on the horizon that keeps the title race spicy.
Chelsea head to Nottingham Forest in a clash that pits a club seeking consistency against a side trying to break out of a difficult start under their new manager, Ange Postecoglou.
Nottingham Forest sit 17th with five points, while Postecoglou maps a path forward under pressure after a challenging opening to his tenure. The international break could be a chance for recalibration.
Antoine Semenyo continues to star for Bournemouth with six goals and three assists, a contribution that has earned him praise from teammates and observers alike. Bournemouth, under Andoni Iraola, sit high in the early league table as a notable surprise.
Bournemouth face Crystal Palace, who ended a 19-match unbeaten run with a loss to Everton before the international window, a reminder that the Premier League remains merciless to sinuous form lines.
Meanwhile, Manchester City will aim for a third consecutive win when hosting Everton on Saturday, having not tasted defeat in seven matches across all competitions since a brief stumble early in the season.
Not everything stays calm in the league, but City appear to be finding their footing again as the campaign progresses.
Punchline 1: Slot is chasing a record so fast the ball might need its own passport to keep up with the chase.
Punchline 2: If Liverpool pull it off, the trophy cabinet may need a bigger shelf and a louder bell to handle the celebration—someone call the movers, the history is getting heavy.
