Liverpool have quite surprisingly drawn their first two games of the new Premier League season but they should be getting back to winning ways when they face Manchester United in gameweek three.
It’s not often that we say this when Liverpool are facing Man United but right now, United are in a total mess so this is the best opportunity for the Anfield outfit to pick up their first win of the 22/23 season.
Liverpool are undefeated in their last 21 matches in the Premier League and they are very much the favourites to extend this run when they visit Old Trafford on Monday night.
In their last three meetings, the Reds have scored 13 goals vs their arch-rivals while conceding only two goals and with the kind of form that Manchester United are in right now, it’s very probable to see a 3-0 or 4-0 scoreline in favour of Klopp’s team. The only thing the manager needs to make sure is that the past two draws don’t play on his players’ minds.
Liverpool team news vs Manchester United:
Jurgen Klopp’s side might be the better team going into this match but the manager is likely to be without as many as nine first-team players.
Yes, Liverpool have a long list of injury absentees and most of them are not going to be fit for Monday’s trip to Old Trafford.
The likes of Thiago, Diogo Jota, Curtis Jones, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Joel Matip and Konate are all ruled out and will be unavailable for selection.
With Joel Matip and Konte both ruled out, it’s Joe Gomez who will partner Van Dijk in central defence. It was Nat Phillips who played against Palace but we don’t think the manager will use him against a team like Manchester United.
The absence of Thiago, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Curtis Jones is also a problem because, with the three of them out, Klopp has very limited options in midfield.
It's almost like Liverpool are missing someone 💔 pic.twitter.com/7pkJWCRZk0
— B/R Football (@brfootball) August 15, 2022
Darwin Nunez picked up a red card against Palace so he is suspended plus Diogo Jota is also out with a thigh injury. This means all eyes will be on Roberto Firmino who is currently recovering from an injury setback.
If he can be fit in time then he will come straight into the first XI or else Klopp will have to rely on a false nine system which will be really challenging to achieve because he doesn’t have Sadio Mane anymore.
If he wants to use a false nine formation then will have to bring in Naby Keita in midfield and then use someone like Jordan Henderson up front. This won’t be pretty at all but if Firmino is not ready in time then this is the only option he has.
UPDATE:
The Liverpool manager has updated in Roberto Firmino and midfielder Naby Keita has returned to full fitness and will be in time to start when Liverpool visit Old Trafford on Monday.
“Bobby trained completely normal, is ready,” said the boss in his pre-match press conference. “Naby was ill for a week, last game on the bench, is fully in training, looks really good. All fine.”
Liverpool predicted line up vs Manchester United:
Predicted Starting Line up(4-3-3): Alisson; Van Dijk, Gomez, Robertson, Alexander-Arnold; Henderson, Keita/Elliot, Fabinho; Firmino, Mo Salah, Luis Diaz.
