Liverpool have the luxury of facing a manager-less Sheffield United in midweek after staging a dramatic late turnaround against Fulham on Sunday.
It was a triumph that showed why Jurgen Klopp’s side will and won’t compete for the Premier League title this season. The Anfield factor will be critical to any challenge, but there will be concerns about the porosity of their defending.
Nevertheless, after Manchester City dropped more points to Tottenham, Liverpool now sit second in the table and are just two points adrift of leaders Arsenal. The Gunners, however, could extend their lead at the summit by the time the Reds kick-off at Bramall Lane.
Sheffield United are set to appoint Chris Wilder following Paul Heckingbottom’s inevitable dismissal. The Blades were inexplicably thumped 5-0 by Burnley on Saturday and they’ll have a caretaker boss in charge for Liverpool’s visit.
Here’s 90min’s preview of Wednesday’s Premier League fixture.
Sheffield United vs Liverpool H2H Record (Last Five Games)
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The hosts will be without Oli McBurnie, who was sent off for the second time this season at the weekend. Benie Traore could come back into the team as his replacement.
The Blades have a long list of absences, including former Liverpool academy star Rhian Brewster. Brewster, like John Egan, Daniel Jebbison and Rhys Norrington-Davies, should return to action before the end of the year.
Tom Davies and Chris Basham are long-term absentees.
Sheffield United predicted lineup vs Liverpool (3-4-2-1): Foderingham; Ahmedhodzic, Robinson, Trusty; Bogle, Norwood, Osula, Thomas; Hamer, Traore; Archer.
Not too much has changed on the injury front for Liverpool.
Alisson is expected to return to action before Christmas, but he won’t feature in midweek. Diogo Jota, meanwhile, is set for a longer period on the sidelines.
Andy Robertson won’t return until 2024 and it remains to be seen when Stefan Bajcetic and Thiago Alcantara will make their respective comebacks.
Ibrahima Konate should replace Joel Matip in the starting XI.
Liverpool predicted lineup vs Sheffield United (4-3-3): Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Jones; Salah, Gakpo, Diaz.
Many would’ve expected a procession for Liverpool at the weekend, but a spirited Fulham showing combined with some sloppy box defending rendered the bout mightily competitive.
That has to be a wake-up call for Klopp’s side, who should stroll to victory on Wednesday night.
While Sheffield United might be inspired by Wilder’s return, the former Blades boss won’t be on the sideline in midweek. The hosts will be keen to avoid a battering, but Liverpool could feast on their vulnerability.
Prediction: Sheffield United 0-4 Liverpool
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