The 2015-16 season has been breathtaking and surprising at the same time. With Leicester emerging as the strongest title contender, this season has seen the most open title race in the Premier League era.

With Chelsea in turmoil and City needing squad overhaul, this could have been anyone’s year. That can be seen with the rise of Leicester and Tottenham this year. This could have been an ideal opportunity for both Liverpool and Man United to regain their lost glory but both have failed to so.

One is lost in its manager’s philosophy, the other is emerging from their last manager’s weak character. Both great clubs are fighting hard to come into the top four but have failed to do that with very few games left to challenge for European royalty.

Liverpool are producing scintillating performances one week while having a bad night every other week. It has been an inconsistent campaign for Jurgen Klopp’s men while Van Gaal has struggled to instill his philosophy into his players.

It is a race between the two rivals to take up a place in the Europa League spots. Realistically both United and Liverpool are destined to finish out of the top four with West Ham in brilliant form in the past few months, both the clubs have to settle for a place for the Europa spots.

Let’s take a look the reasons why Liverpool can finish above Man Utd this season :

1. Philosophy :

It is clear Jurgen Klopp’s tactics and strategies are working well on Liverpool than Van Gaal working his trade at United. Reaching a final at Wembley and beating old foes in Europe has proved that Liverpool are progressing forward while United have taken backward steps under the Dutchman. It needs to seen who between the two managers come out on top come May.

2. Fixtures:

Liverpool face Tottenham, Chelsea and Everton at home and the reds record against Spurs and Toffees at Anfield is a reason of relief for Klopp’s men. While United face Spurs and West Ham away and Everton and Leicester at home. So, Utd still have to face two title contenders and are expected to lose more points than Liverpool.

3. Attacking threat:

Liverpool have goals in their team more than United. The threat of Coutinho, Firmino and Sturridge upfront is a deadly force to have than Martial, Mata and Rashford. Liverpool have scored the most goals in 2016 in the League and it will be the most important factor in the coming months.