MANCHESTER UNITED VS LIVERPOOL: PREDICTED LINEUP

Liverpool have the chance to cut the gap to Manchester City down to two points with victory against Manchester United tomorrow night. The Reds are aiming to truly kickstart their season after two frustrating draws. Here’s the predicted lineup for the showdown at Old Trafford.

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There are still a number of notable injuries and suspension for Jürgen Klopp to grapple with, with up to eight players expected to miss out. Kelleher, Ramsay, Konaté, Matip, Jones, Ox and Jota have all been ruled out through injury.

Darwin Nunez meanwhile misses the first game of his three game suspension. Crucially, Roberto Firmino is back available after missing the stalemate against Palace with a knock. This boosts the manager’s attacking options.

In goal tomorrow will be Alisson Becker. The Brazilian is still searching for his first clean sheet of the season having clinched the Golden Glove award last season (alongside compatriot Ederson).

Ahead of him will be Trent and Robertson at right and left full back respectively. At centre half, Joe Gomez is expected to come in for his first league start alongside Virgil Van Dijk for the first time since that freak 7-2 humiliation at Aston Villa.

It’s a huge chance for the 25 year old to stake his claim for more minutes. He’s been desperately unlucky with injuries in his young career so far. If anyone needs a performance, it’s him. He did look sharp in his cameo off the bench last week.

The midfield selection will prove interesting. With Henderson struggling with a knock, the manager opted for a Fabinho, Elliott, Milner trio against Palace. The youngster was our brightest player in the first half and acquitted himself well.

The skipper did offer an injection of urgency when he came off the bench. He seems to have gotten over the niggle as well and is fit enough to start tomorrow. It’s unlikely the manager drops him for a trip to Old Trafford.

He could very well start in the holding role, with Fabinho not playing to the levels expected in the two league games thus far. Naby Keita is another who is fit and raring to go, and with reports in the media suggesting contract talks have broken down, he could have a point to prove.

Not to mention he put in an effervescent display in this fixture last season. Naby will likely get the nod to start on the left of the midfield three. The two remaining slots will go to any two of Fabinho, Henderson, Elliott and Milner.

Upfront, it’s a straightforward pick. Firmino leads the line in the absence of Jota and Nunez, with Diaz and Salah lining up either side of the Brazilian. With no Darwin in the lineup, we can expect a reversion to the status quo.

This could be a good thing as the team needs to revert back to basics after two frustrating results. The integration of the ex Benfica man into the playing style will continue when the Uruguayan returns from suspension.

Predicted team:

Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Henderson, Keita, Salah, Firmino, Diaz.

Subs: Adrian, Phillips, Van den Berg, Tsimikas, Bajcetic, Milner, Elliott, Carvalho.