Liverpool put unbeaten streak on the line against winless Sheffield United
Liverpool are set to host Sheffield United at Anfield on Saturday.
Returning on the hop from their first group D Champions League match against Ajax, these Reds will be seeking to recover their winning ways in the league.
It was their first clean sheet in six attempts, Jurgen Klopp will want the lads to build on the defensive successes they had on the continent. As wounded warriors, these Reds are showing their pluck and courage in the face of adversity.
Injury and illness plagued campaign to the start of this season and found Klopp’s squad dropping five points to the table thus far.
Thiago suffered a dangerous challenge last weekend and he too is nearing a return. The gaffer kept him back from the tie with Ajax to give him the extra time to recover and could be in the mix for a Blades return.
Joel Matip should be ready as well for this match, but will have his hands full in trying to break into the defensive line after Fabinho’s masterful defending in Amsterdam. Fabs appears to be a likely long-term replacement for the injured Virgil Van Dijk; at least til the Reds can dip into the transfer market in January.
Adrian acquitted himself very well on the continent Wednesday evening, should help his confidence, which he will certainly want to build upon here with an eye on another clean sheet.
While Klopp’s warriors are wounded they will face a Sheffield United side that has yet to win a tie in the league garnering only a single point thus far and languishing in 19th spot in the table.
Wilders’ side is not as bad as their form would suggest and should not be underestimated by Jurgen or these Reds.
Indeed, only a touch of poor luck in the restart summer campaign saw them fall shy of making European spots in the table last campaign. They will most certainly be coming to Anfield with something to prove.
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The Reds will be looking to get their front three onto the scoresheet at home. Mo Salah scored his 100th goal at Goodison Park and has six already this campaign to his credit.
Sadio Mane has four goals to his account with a score as well against the Toffees. He was seen nursing an iced knee in the stands in Amsterdam after subbing off in the 60th minute. The gaffer has said this was due to a dead leg these past few days and not a serious knock to be worried over.
Bobby Firmino has had a confidence ongoing issue with finding the back of the net. He scored more on the road last season only netting at home in the Reds final match of the campaign. He has yet to crack the scoresheet this season in all competitions.
Diogo Jota has slotted in nicely as a sub since coming over from Wolves this summer and the gaffer may just give him a nod to start here to rest Firmino. Jota plays well on the wing and can slot into the middle with a fluid ease and he is strong point of the spear defense.
Predicted team
For a team sheet, the gaffer has said he would be rotating players with a mind to the busy fixture pile-up in the autumn. So, look for some shifting of starting assignments here. Adrian is the keeper for at least the next two ties and will be between the posts.
Andrew Robertson will start at left back with Joe Gomez and the fabulous Fabinho making up the central defensive pairing while Trent Alexander-Arnold rounds out the backline as usual. Jordan Henderson will start in the no. 6 with Wijnaldum and Keita in the midfield. Look for Thiago to be available.
Henderson is not fit to go 90 minutes and neither is Thiago, so a halftime switch up between the two should be expected. Mane gets his usual call; and I’m thinking Diogo Jota gets the gaffer’s call to sub Firmino for this tie.
Look for Minamino to sub for the young Portuguese forward in the second frame if the Reds are in control. If necessary we could see Firmino inserted with fresh legs to bring home a goal. Mo Salah will find his usual spot on the left wing.
Curtis Jones, Kostas Tsimikas, James Milner, Joel Matip, Takumi Minamino, and Coaimhin Kelleher with Rhys Williams round out the squad on the bench.
The fixtures are coming hot and heavy and there are no easy matches for Liverpool with their defensive stalwart out for the season. They will need to be sharp and focused with an eye for clinical finishing from the top.
All eyes will be on the Reds to see just how well they’re able to adapt to a completely revamped defensive shape. And on the hop no less, with the switch from domestic to continental competition also taking its toll.
Liverpool carry an undefeated record into the tie; having not lost a match at Anfield since 2017 April against Crystal Palace.
dark. Next. No Jota or Gomez but Keita is back! Liverpool lineup vs Sheffield United
Predicted score
I pick a Liverpool win here 3-0. But certainly no pressure, ehhhh?