Liverpool vs Sheffield United Preview:
Possible starting lineups:
Liverpool:
Adrian, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Fabinho, Robertson, Henderson, Wijnaldum, Naby Keita, Salah, Firmino, Mane
Sheffield United:
Ramsdale; Basham, Egan, Ampadu; Baldock, Berge, Lundstram, Norwood, Stevens; Brewster, McBurnie
Liverpool have collected 10 points after the first five rounds in the Premier League. The Reds started excellent, with three straight victories. They managed to beat Leeds United with 4:3, Chelsea with 2:0 and Arsenal with 3:1. Salah scored a hat-trick against the Whites, while Sadio Mane was the 'Player of the Game' in derbies against Chelsea and Arsenal. But then came a catastrophe - Liverpool were humiliated at Villa Park and lost 7:2 to Aston Villa. The Reds were without Alisson and Mane, but it couldn't be an excuse. The next match against Everton was another catastrophe, but for different reason - key defender Virgil van Dijk sustained knee-ligaments damage after a challenge by Toffees goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. The Dutcman will be out in the next 6-8 months. His absence is a huge handicap for Klopp who now has just two recognized central defenders - Joe Gomez and Joel Matip. In addition, new signing Thiago Alcantara, who was named as 'Player of the Match' on his full debut at Goodison Park, suffered a knee injury after Richarlison’s horror tackle. On Wednesday Liverpool started the Champions League campaign against Ajax Amsterdam. Jurgen Klopp was missing Alisson, Van Dijk and Matip, but his team manged to keep clean sheet and won 1:0 thanks to an own-goal scored by Nicolas Tagliafico. Fabinho was excellent in the defense, but I must admit Ajax deserved more. The Dutch Champions have missed several good opportunities. Klopp need to improve the defensive performance of his team, although it won't be easy in such situation. Van Dijk, Alisson and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain remain sidelined, while Thiago Alcantara and Joel Matip are rated as doubtful. Sadio Mane, who was replaced in the 60th minute, was immediately given ice to put on his right leg as he sat on the bench. But after the match Klopp claimed that the issue is ‘not a big problem’ and the Senegalese winger should be ready for this match.
Sheffield United are sharing bottom three places in the standings with Fulham and Burnley, having collected just one point from five matches. The Blades had an awful start of the season. They lost first four league matches against Wolverhampton, Aston Villa, Leeds and Arsenal. It was a quite different experience for the manager Chris Wilder, as his players were fighting for UEFA Europe League spot last season. But their European dream was stopped by three consecutive defeats at the end of last season. What is worse, that losing run has carried over into this campaign. After seven top-flight defeats, Sheffield United finally registered the first positive result, drawing 1:1 with Fulham last weekend. Substitute Billy Sharp scored a late penalty to earn his team the first point of the season. It was the club's first Premier League goal at Bramall Lane after 368 minutes. The Blades were dominant, but Fulham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola made five saves, including one from Oliver McBurnie's header. The draw will surely lift the players confidence, however the things remain very complicated. Wilder is feeling a big pressure, as well as the players. To be worse, their next three fixtures are very tough - Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea. For this match Wilder has lot of injury worries. He said something very interesting, that the injuries of his key players is a bigger blow than Virgil van Dijk's absence. Jack O'Connell is out for the rest of the season with a knee injury, while Lys Mousset and John Fleck are also sidelined. Rhian Brewster, the club record signing, could make his full debut against the former club. He will be particularly motivated to prove something to his former boss Jurgen Klopp.
Liverpool vs Sheffield United Prediction:
Liverpool are very handicapped in defense. They will be missing regular goalkeeper Alisson and two centre-backs: Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip. It is true they kept clean sheet against Ajax, but it is also true they were lucky not to concede. I expect the guests to find the back of the net, so both teams to score is a good option for this match.
Liverpool vs Sheffield United Pick: Both teams to score - Yes @ 1.99 with
Pinnacle