Liverpool face a huge Premier League game this afternoon with a visit from first-placed Manchester United, who are going into the game looking to extend their lead at the top of the table – with the Reds hoping to reduce that lead in their attempts to retain their Premier League trophy.
It is likely that the club will be without Joel Matip today with him still struggling to recover from an injury sustained in our 1-1 draw with West Brom – meaning we will see a weakened defence with Fabinho and either Nat Phillips or Rhys Williams alongside him.
Jurgen Klopp will likely start the game with a very strong XI given the magnitude and importance of the game, with it being a great chance to make a statement and show that the club won’t be giving up the title without a fight – even with the amount of competition for the title so far this campaign.
So, with the game just hours away, how might the reds lineup against Manchester United at Anfield?
Formation: 4-3-3
We will see the return of Alisson in goal after youngster Caoimhín Kelleher started between the sticks in the FA Cup against Aston Villa – despite the Irishman’s impressive performances for the Reds, Brazilian Alisson will be the one to go for in a game of such importance with him able to save a game on the turn of its head at times for Klopp.
Can Liverpool beat Manchester United?
Yes
No
In defence, I can’t see too many changes in general with our usual full-back pairing of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson starting the game. Fabinho will no doubt start at centre-back and I feel he will be joined alongside 23-year-old Nat Phillips. The Bolton-born defender has impressed when called upon this season and I feel his aerial ability will prove huge against a United side that is dominant in the air. Phillips has won on average 7 aerial duels per game in the league this season and this aspect of his game will be vital today.
Our midfield will see a bit of a reshuffle, with Thiago taking the holding role and then captain Jordan Henderson in the right central midfield and Gini Wijnaldum on the left. This change will allow Trent to go forward more freely in attack for the side with Henderson then there to provide cover in defence when out of position. This had often been the case for Klopp but the injuries in midfield meant many players having to play out of position.
Upfront will see the usual first-choice trio of Sadio Mané, Roberto Firmino, and Mo Salah, with the two wingers managing to get on the scoresheet last week in the FA Cup which has hopefully aided in their confidence and rhythm to start performing at their best again. If the rest of the squad can start to work in tandem again with some of our players returning to their usual roles, then hopefully this will have a knock-on effect for our attack. I expect to see Mané and Salah get themselves on the scoresheet and hopefully aid in our win over United.
What do you think Liverpool fans, how might we lineup against Manchester United today? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section down below…