Liverpool will entertain Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday evening hoping to continue their recent good run of form across all competitions. On paper and based on current form, the Merseyside outfit are by far the superior team. However, football is not played on paper while form goes out of the window during such high-profile clashes between two of the most successful clubs of England. Thus, the Reds need to be careful not to get complacent as they look to get past the United defence this weekend.
Jurgen Klopp is likely to stick with his favoured 4-3-3 formation and might bench Sadio Mane for this encounter following his nightmare performance versus Napoli in midweek.
4-3-3 Liverpool Predicted Lineup To Face Manchester United
Defence
Alisson Becker will be a constant feature in goal for Liverpool following his season-defining performance against Napoli on Tuesday night when his excellent save at the death helped the Reds qualify from their group. Simon Mignolet will have to settle for a place on Klopp’s bench as he patiently waits for his chance to redeem himself.
The centre-half duo of Virgil Van Dijk and Dejan Lovren could feature at the heart of the Liverpool backline as both Joe Gomez and Joel Matip are currently sidelined due to injury. Matip put in a brilliant performance against Napoli in midweek but had to come off during the game after suffering a severe shoulder injury.
Andrew Robertson, who has arguably been Klopp’s most consistent player this season, will take his rightful place at left-back as he looks to charge forward and deliver some telling crosses from the wide areas. James Milner could feature as a makeshift right-back against Man United in the absence of Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is a significant doubt for this game.
Midfield
The trio of Naby Keita, Fabinho and Georginio Wijnaldum could feature as part of Klopp’s midfield three as both Keita and Fabinho were rested in midweek while the incredible form and work-rate of Wijnaldum should keep the Dutchman in the Liverpool first-team for the time being.
The Reds midfielders will be responsible for winning the 50-50 aerial duels so that they can establish their dominance at the centre of the park.
Attack
The terrific trio of Xherdan Shaqiri, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah are expected to start as Klopp looks to freshen up his attack following his team’s midweek exertions. Sadio Mane deserves to be dropped after the Senegalese speedster squandered a number of chances to score against Napoli. He is in dismal form so some time out of the first-team could light a spark in him which could mean that he will be more productive in the attacking third.
