League leaders, Liverpool can go 8 points clear at the top when they face off with newcomers Sheffield United at Bramall Lane. They ground has been a dull place for the Reds and the game will be tricky. The Blades have had a decent start to Premier League life and are brimming with confidence since a 2-0 win, away at Goodison Park, last Saturday.
Liverpool haven’t won at Bramall Lane since early 1990 and would be looking to change the record books.
Divock Origi and Sadio Mane were back in training on Thursday after the latter had a dead leg against Chelsea last Sunday.
Title rivals Manchester City, face their Merseyside counterparts Everton, who could do the Reds a favour by getting points off the Citizens. Billy Sharp remains sidelined as he completes his suspension. Liverpool have scored a whopping 35 times against newly promoted sides in their last 12 games, conceding only on 4 occasions.
Jurgen Klopp praised Chris Wilder but said that his sides’ winning habit is crucial this season, “We just want to go to Sheffield and make their lives as uncomfortable as possible, that’s the plan. Maybe we are considered a top team, but we dont want to behave like a top team; playing if possible yes, but fighting like a proper challenger, that’s it”.
The fixture finished 1-1, the last time the sides met back in August 2007. Sadio Mane, Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino – all in top form, would be eyeing goals.
Predicted Line-Ups:
Manchester United Loanee, Dean Henderson has been in good form coming into the fixture, will be continuing in goal for the Blades. Defender John Lundstram has been promoted up the field this season and has hit the ground running with 1 goal and 1 assist. David McGoldrick remains on the sidelines with a muscle injury. Billy Sharp serves the first of his 3 games suspension after a red last time out against Southampton.
Predicted Line-Ups: Henderson, Basham, Egan, O’Connell, Baldock, Lundstram, Norwood, Fleck, Stevens, Morrison, Oli McBurnie 3-5-2
Sadio Mane and Mo Salah had a sorry game last time out against Chelsea, which saw the duo with no clear cut chances. The ever present ST-cum-CF Bobby Firmino was on the score sheet to make it 15 wins in a row for the 6 time European Champions. Divock Origi returned to training on Thursday and will likely be named on the bench. Trent Alexander-Arnold scored a quite sumptuous free kick against Chelsea and is the player to watch out. His in swinging crosses could do quite some damage to the Sheffield back four. ‘The Best’ GK Alisson Becker is much better and would be returning to training soon. Jurgen Klopp is expected to field an unchanged side since the win over Chelsea.
Predicted Line-Ups: Adrian, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson, Henderson (C), Fabinho, Wijnaldum, Salah, Firmino, Mane 4-3-3
Referee: Anthony Taylor
Venue: Bramall Lane, Yorkshire (32130)
English Premier League, Round 7
Time: 12:30 BST, Saturday
