MX23RW : Friday, October 30 01:44:41| >> :120:7978:7978:

How Liverpool could line up against Sheffield United

Sports Mole looks at how champions Liverpool could line up for Saturday's Premier League clash against Sheffield United at Anfield.

Liverpool welcome Sheffield United to Anfield on Saturday evening looking to return to winning ways in the Premier League.

The champions have picked up just one point and shipped nine goals in their last two top-flight outings, including a highly controversial 2-2 Merseyside derby draw with Everton last time out.

However, they are unbeaten in their last 61 Premier League outings at Anfield, taking 82 points from the last 84 on offer there, and host a Sheffield United side with only one point and two goals to their name this term.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how Jurgen Klopp could line his side up for the contest.



Possible LIV XI vs. SHU

Out: Virgil van Dijk (knee), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (knee), Kostas Tsimikas (thigh)
Doubtful: Sadio Mane (leg), Thiago Alcantara (knee), Naby Keita (coronavirus), Joel Matip (muscle), Alisson Becker (shoulder)

> Click here for Liverpool's latest injury and suspension news ahead of this match

Saturday's match will bring an end to Virgil van Dijk's run of starting the last 94 Premier League games for Liverpool, but Wednesday's win at Ajax will have eased concerns over how they will fare without the Dutchman.

With Joel Matip also sidelined for that match, Fabinho filled in alongside Joe Gomez and his performance is likely to have earned him another starting spot this weekend.

Matip could yet be available, but Klopp will not take any risks over his slight muscle injury given how light he is for centre-back options already.

Thiago Alcantara will also undergo a late fitness test ahead of this match, having missed the trip to Amsterdam with the knee injury he sustained in Richarlison's red-card challenge during last weekend's derby.

Like Matip, Klopp is unlikely to take any risks with his fitness, but his injury is not thought to be serious and so he could return to the fold for what would be his first Liverpool game at Anfield.

Jordan Henderson should also return to the starting lineup, despite only being deemed fit enough for 45 minutes during the week, while Naby Keita is expected to be available again and could go straight back into the XI after Georginio Wijnaldum played the full 90 minutes on an energy-sapping surface on Wednesday.

Klopp was able to withdraw Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane on the hour mark at the Johan Cruyff ArenA and all three should therefore be fresh to start again on Saturday.

Mane did need ice on his leg following his withdrawal, but Klopp was quick to play down concerns over his fitness, insisting that the winger had a dead leg which was not causing him serious problems.

Adrian is once again expected to start in goal, although Klopp's refusal to completely rule Alisson Becker out of this game has raised hope that the Brazilian will return well ahead of schedule.


Video prediction

Watch the Sports Mole Football Shorts prediction for this game below:


ID:419379:cQx

Who will win Saturday's Premier League clash between Liverpool and Sheffield United?

Liverpool
Draw
Sheffield United
Liverpool
0.0%
Draw
0.0%
Sheffield United
0.0%
Share this article now:
Did you know...?
Liverpool midfielder Fabinho pictured in September 2019
Read Next:
Georginio Wijnaldum lavishes praise on Fabinho for performance at Ajax
>
Latest Sports Video
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.

rhs 2.0
Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Everton6411149513
2Liverpool64111514113
3Aston Villa5401125712
4Leicester CityLeicester6402138512
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs6321168811
6Leeds UnitedLeeds6312129310
7Southampton6312109110
8Crystal Palace631289-110
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves631268-210
10Chelsea623113949
11Arsenal63038719
12West Ham UnitedWest Ham622212848
13Manchester CityMan City52218808
14Newcastle UnitedNewcastle6222810-28
15Manchester UnitedMan Utd5212912-37
16Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton61231012-25
17West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom6033614-83
18Burnley501439-61
19Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd601539-61
20Fulham6015514-91

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!