Liverpool take on Manchester United this evening in one of the most anticipated matches of the Premier League season.
Both sides have had difficult starts to the new campaign and are yet to pick up wins in league football, with United losing out to Brighton and Brentford, whilst Liverpool shared the spoils with Fulham and Crystal Palace.
The Reds travel to Old Trafford with a number of injury issues, with Curtis Jones, Thiago, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Joel Matip, Ibrahima Konate, Calvin Ramsay and more missing out.
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With that in mind, here is how we expect Jurgen Klopp's side to line-up this evening:
Alisson Becker
The Brazilian missed out on the opening day of the season, but returned to make several crucial saves in the draw with Crystal Palace. Widely regarded as one of the world’s best, he may be vital if Liverpool are to repeat last season’s result at Old Trafford.
Trent Alexander-Arnold
It has been a difficult start for the West Derby-born full-back, who many expect to top the assist charts again this term.
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A few stunning passes against Palace and the opening goal of the Reds’ season in the Community Shield have been the only flashes we have seen from the Scouser, but will hope to return to his best in a game which will mean so much.
Joe Gomez
Injuries to the aforementioned Matip and Konate have allowed a path for the Englishman to return to Klopp’s eleven.
He was part of the central defensive partnership which was a mainstay in Liverpool’s Premier League win, and many hope he can regain the form he showed in this time period after making just eight league appearances last term.
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Nat Phillips was preferred against Palace as he picked up a knock, but Liverpool looked far more solid when the ex-Charlton man came on.
Virgil van Dijk
Van Dijk made an uncustomary error on the opening day by bringing down Aleksandar Mitrovic in the penalty area to allow the Cottagers the lead, and some even fashioned to blame Wilfried Zaha’s goal on him for Palace last week.
His presence and calmness will be needed alongside Gomez, with whom he looked so comfortable in previous seasons.
Andrew Robertson
The first semi-contentious choice - an often consistent performer, Robertson has been out of form for a little while despite registering the third-most assists last season in the Premier League.
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Klopp will likely go for experience in such an occasion, which is the only reason why he may plump for him over Kostas Tsimikas. The Greek has also recently come back from injury, so will likely still sit behind the Scot in the pecking order.
Fabinho
Probably the biggest culprit in Liverpool’s poor start to the season, Fabinho has looked completely off the pace so far.
However, his presence will be needed in a fixture of this magnitude - and will be key in stopping any through balls through the Liverpool midfield.
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There has been rumours of Jordan Henderson starting in his role, which would be an option for Klopp from the bench.
Naby Keita
It is a huge week for Naby Keita. After murmurs of his discontent from journalist Florian Plettenburg, he will look to start his first game of the season after only featuring for five minutes in the Community Shield.
He was ill for the opening day against Fulham and benched for Crystal Palace, but after his performance in this fixture last year, he wouldn’t be too happy if he didn’t play.
Keita picked up the opening goal and provided an assist whilst completely running the midfield, leaving United hapless in defeat.
Harvey Elliott
A big call to leave a senior player out, we know. But with his start to the season, it would truly be unfair to leave Harvey Elliott out of the eleven.
The 19-year-old has been a real creative outlet in the midfield, something which Liverpool have somewhat lacked in recent years since the departure of Phillippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana.
It would be understandable if he was left out, but after signing a new deal and changing number, it would be another show of tremendous faith in his ability from Jurgen Klopp.
Mohamed Salah
A hat-trick hero at Old Trafford and a double salvo at Anfield, Mo Salah has been the thorn in United’s side since his first goal against them in 2020/21.
Many Reds fans (and Fantasy Football Fans) will be excited to see Salah in action and pick up a few goal-scoring contributions along the way.
Roberto Firmino
It may be something in the water for Liverpool’s Brazilians - for Firmino wasn’t at it whatsoever against Fulham on the opening day.
He was left out as a precaution against Palace, but subsequently Darwin Nunez was sent off - meaning the Reds have little option with Diogo Jota out injured but to go with ‘Bobby’.
He scored twice in the 4-2 win in May 2021, and is only two off bagging a century in a Liverpool shirt.
Luis Diaz
The Reds’ salvation as they drew with Palace last week, Diaz scored an absolute pearler to equalise whilst Liverpool were a man down. Jinking past five Eagles defenders, he fired into the bottom corner with power and precision.
His work rate and take-on ability could see United crumble, with Diogo Dalot enduring a tough start to his season.
Topics: Liverpool, Manchester United, Premier League
Chris Stonadge