Effectively-oiled Liverpool meet a Man United aspect in relegation type on Sunday as Arne Slot‘s males intention to keep up their hole on the high of the Premier League desk.
Liverpool vs. Man United
Premier League (19) | AnfieldJanuary 5, 2024 | 4.30pm (GMT)
Liverpool are unbeaten of their final 23 video games throughout all competitions and on Sunday meet a Man United aspect coming off the again of 4 consecutive defeats.
Reds followers would be the first to inform you that nothing could be taken with no consideration on this fixture, however Slot definitely has his aspect primed for an additional optimistic consequence.
Listed here are 10 issues it’s essential to know forward of the league assembly.
1. Ibou and Bradley return to coaching
Ibrahima Konate and Conor Bradley have missed the final eight video games as a consequence of damage however made an necessary step on Friday by returning to staff coaching.
“The following step is at all times how do you deal with staff classes,” Slot mentioned, eluding to the actual fact the pair are unlikely to be concerned on Sunday as they construct themselves again up after greater than a month out.
Joe Gomez, in the meantime, is a assured absentee after his hamstring damage at West Ham, with Slot confirming the defender will likely be “out for a number of weeks” a minimum of.
Fortunately, there have been no different accidents or sicknesses to report on Friday.
2. Duo return to Amorim’s squad
That is the primary time Liverpool will face off in opposition to Ruben Amorim’s Man United, who will welcome again Manuel Ugarte and Bruno Fernandes from their respective suspensions.
Mason Mount, Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw will miss out as a consequence of damage, whereas Marcus Rashford isn’t anticipated to maintain his place within the squad as a consequence of sickness.
Thirty-seven-year-old Jonny Evans was lacking from United’s squad of their Monday night time defeat to Newcastle and is questionable to return.
Doable United XI: Onana; Yoro, Maguire, Martinez; Mazraoui, Mainoo, Ugarte, Dalot; Diallo, Fernandes; Hojlund
3. High vs. relegation type
To say the 2 groups head into this recreation in contrasting type is placing it evenly.
Whereas the Reds sit on the high of the desk, Man United are shifting ever nearer to the relegation zone. Within the final six league video games, United have the second-worst report with simply three factors.
They’ve scored simply 4 objectives in that point and conceded 13. Liverpool, in the meantime, have added 14 factors to their tally in that very same interval – second-best within the league behind solely Forest.
“It’s a bit embarrassing to be Manchester United coach and to lose lots of video games,” Amorim mentioned after the newest defeat having conceded his aspect are in relegation rivalry.
4. Who might begin for Liverpool?
It’s uncommon to have every week between video games throughout this a part of the season, but it surely afforded Slot the possibility to offer his gamers a number of days off over the New 12 months interval.
They need to, subsequently, all return feeling recent and thus it could not be a shock if solely two adjustments have been made.
Gomez is an enforced one as Jarell Quansah takes his place, whereas Dominik Szoboszlai‘s return from suspension means he’s more likely to take over from Curtis Jones in midfield.
It stays to be seen if Diogo Jota is able to begin a match having performed a most spell of half-hour since marking his return from a rib damage.
Doable Reds XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister; Salah, Gakpo, Diaz
5. 4 Reds nonetheless at suspension danger
Ryan Gravenberch, Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez and Konate are all on 4 yellow playing cards heading into the conflict, which means they’re a warning away from a one-match suspension.
Konate is unlikely to be concerned but when referee Michael Oliver reveals a warning to any of the abovementioned gamers, they’ll miss the journey to Nottingham Forest on January 14.
Premier League guidelines stipulate gamers who obtain a complete of 5 yellow playing cards as much as and together with the primary 19 video games will likely be given a one-match suspension, with the brink solely reset after this match.
Keep underneath Oliver’s radar, lads!
6. Trent is “absolutely dedicated”
There was an apparent line of questioning for Slot forward of this fixture after Trent Alexander-Arnold was topic to a bid from Actual Madrid, and the Reds boss rapidly dismissed hypothesis:
“I can inform you that he’s enjoying on Sunday.
“And hopefully he brings the identical efficiency that he’s introduced for the final half-year.
[…]
“I see him on the coaching floor on daily basis, working his ass off.
“He’s absolutely dedicated to us and he’ll play on Sunday – in the event that they don’t inform me he’s sick, however I don’t count on him to be.”
7. Ticket worth protest anticipated
Liverpool and Man United followers are anticipated to unite in a protest in opposition to rising ticket costs earlier than the match in a present of solidarity with the FSA’s #StopExploitingLoyalty marketing campaign.
A protest was additionally held earlier than the go to of Man Metropolis final month and that is one other nod to how very important supporters are to retaining these in boardrooms in verify.
8. Do you know?
Man United haven’t scored within the final 507 minutes of league soccer at Anfield, that quantities to eight hours and 27 minutes.
Jesse Lingard was the final participant to web for United in a 3-1 defeat in December 2018 – extremely, that’s their solely purpose within the final 12 hours and 12 minutes of soccer at Anfield.
Clear sheets haven’t been as prevalent in current weeks however certainly Alisson and Co. can prolong United’s distress on Sunday.
9. United aren’t happy with this ref
Michael Oliver will likely be accountable for the fixture at Anfield, with Chris Kavanagh on VAR whereas Craig Pawson acts as fourth official.
The appointment of Oliver has not gone down properly amongst United followers, who’ve current historical past with him after his incorrect VAR intervention at West Ham led to a penalty and subsequent defeat.
On this fixture final season, he despatched off Diogo Dalot for 2 yellow card offences late within the goalless draw.
Liverpool, nevertheless, have by no means received this fixture when Oliver is in cost (0/5). Absolutely that adjustments!
10. The way to watch & observe together with TIA
Liverpool vs. Man United will likely be proven reside on Sky Sports activities Fundamental Occasion and Sky Sports activities Premier League within the UK, with protection ranging from 3.30pm (GMT).
When you favor to not hear the bizarre noises that Gary Neville makes, observe together with our reside weblog – Harry McMullen will likely be retaining you updated and entertained from 3.45pm.
Into these, Reds!
