Liverpool FC will swiftly turn their priorities towards the FA Cup in the aftermath of what was yet another hugely disappointing outing for Jurgen Klopp’s Merseyside men in Premier League football.
The Reds were subject to a shock loss at Anfield on Thursday night as an 83rd-minute spot-kick from Ashley Barnes meant that Sean Dyche’s Burnley left Anfield with a win, becoming the first side to do so in English top-flight football since April 2017.
Klopp’s side were toothless in their attacking endeavours when squaring up against a well-built and highly-structured Clarets backline and the downward spiral in form of key first-teamers like Trent Alexander-Arnold, Sadio Mane and Mohammad Salah was on full display for the Liverpool FC fanbase to witness.
4 – Liverpool have gone four league games without scoring for the first time since May 2000. Indeed, the Reds have had a total of 87 shots since Sadio Mané's 12th minute strike against West Brom. Inexplicable. pic.twitter.com/2kejqFiQRC
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 21, 2021
Liverpool FC have no goals to show for in any of their last four top-flight outings, a major worry for Jurgen Klopp to fret over as the likes of Manchester United and Leicester City, not to forget the ever-present Manchester City, proving that they remain on the hunt to snatch the Premier League crown form the Merseysiders.
The Mane-Salah-Firmino triplet have largely been a shadow of themselves over the last few weeks and the goal drought being endured by the famed frontline at Anfield, coupled with Diogo Jota’s extended run on the sidelines owing to a hamstring issue, has brought about a lasting headache for Klopp.
Sunday’s opponents for Liverpool FC at Old Trafford had visited enemy territory only last week, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s high-flying Manchester United side leaving Anfield with a point in the bag on the back of what was primarily a lacklustre showing from both heavyweights.
Many would argue that the Red Devils were the better of the two sides last time around and should a similar result be on show in the forthcoming game as well, the under-fire Liverpool FC would face a tough task in hoping to avoid a fourth-round exit at the hands of their arch-rivals.
WHEN & WHERE?
Date: Sunday 24 January
Time: 7:30 PM GMT
Venue: Old Trafford
TEAM NEWS
Klopp’s team selection dilemma is bound to increase further over the coming weeks as the slump in form of key first-team regulars continues to haunt the Merseysiders.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is in line to be dropped in favour of either James Milner or Neco Williams for Sunday’s FA Cup fixture in the aftermath of yet another disappointing showing at the right side of the four-man defence for Liverpool FC by the star full-back.
The side that took the field against Burnley contained alternative options in attack for Klopp’s side as the duo of Salah and Firmino were overlooked to make way for the inclusion of Divock Origi and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain but following the latter two putting in an uninspiring shift in the midweek game at Anfield, Sadio Mane should be reunited with his strike partners come Sunday.
Kostas Tsimikas’ name was included in the matchday squad last time around and the summer signing would be right in the mix to start at left-back over the weekend, with Jurgen Klopp keen on resting Andy Robertson.
KEY BATTLE
Paul Pogba vs Xherdan Shaqiri
Pogba missed a sitter last Sunday for his side at Anfield as the Frenchman slotted his finish straight at Alisson Becker to waste away a golden chance at sealing what could have surely been an important away victory for the Old Trafford outfit.
The World Cup-winning midfielder, however, would be on the hunt for vengeance against Jurgen Klopp’s side this Sunday following his match-winning heroics for United in their recent 2-1 win over Fulham in top-flight action.
Shaqiri would be critical towards Liverpool FC’s chances of securing further progress into the FA Cup and the Swiss international’s resurgence within the first-team ranks at Anfield is bound to provide confidence to the attacker going forward.
MATCH PREDICTION
Liverpool FC’s form on the road in recent times has been nothing short of horrendous and a visit to Old Trafford to square off against their big-time rivals is certain to increase anxiousness amongst those at Anfield.
The recent run of results recorded by Klopp’s men sounds out no such indication that the Merseysiders would be billed as favourites to come out on top over the coming weekend and our prediction is that the Reds are in line for a second straight defeat in a row, this time a 2-0 win for Ole’s Manchester United.
