Unarguably, one of the games of the season is right around the corner. The age old fierce rivalry between Liverpool and Manchester United will be rekindled this Monday night with all the pride at its stake. Manchester United were beating Liverpool for fun until the day Jürgen Klopp took the reins and since then, United have been running around the circles to find a way to get better of the Merseysiders.
The red half of the Merseyside have started their new campaign in a stylish fashion as they are unbeaten in seven games in all competition. Furthermore, the Reds of Manchester have seen their season going completely south as they have won just two of their last five Premier League games, so it is fair to say that the Merseysiders will be having an upper hand in the game.
To add more to it, the Anfield’s audience will be trying to make life miserable for their rivals. The Only disadvantage for the home side is their injury problems as a couple of their first team regulars are expected to miss the game due to the same.
So, here is the predicted line-up for the Reds that could give Manchester United a run for their money:
Goalkeeper: Loris Karius-
The manager has been continuously saying that the German is getting his chances ahead of Mignolet just because he has not been tested with full throttle and this could well be it for the former Mainz stopper. United are surely struggling in the final third, but the players like Rashford and Ibrahimovic will be doing everything they can to provide a stern test to the 23-year-old.
Defence: Clyne; Lovren; Matip; Milner-
You heard it right! The former Southampton duo has returned to the training and took part in Wednesday’s training schedule at Melwood. Both the players missed the international duty after picking up knocks in the win over Swansea, but they might get featured against the devils.
Clyne, particularly, will have to be on his best in terms of defending as he will be up against his fellow countryman Marcus Rashford or Anthony Martial. Be it anyone, both are full of pace and could harm the Merseysiders if given the space.
Lovren and Matip will be commanding the last line of the team and will be facing the wrath of the big Swede, Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The recently turned 35-year-old attacker has not scored a single goal in the Premier League since the Manchester Derby, hence, he has a point to prove.
Matip, especially, will be having a stern task of keeping Zlatan quiet aerially, while Lovren will be going his tasks on the ground. Furthermore, the left side will be occupied by the most versatile player in the squad, James Milner. The former Manchester City talisman will be up against Lingard, most probably, whose confidence is on high as he recently got his first national call.
Midfield Trio: Henderson; Can; Coutinho-
A big overhaul in the midfield is expected in the night. Clyne and Lovren might have returned to the training, but there were no signs of Adam Lallana and Gini Wijnaldum. Lallana, just like Lovren, picked up his injury during the hard fought game against the Swans, while Wijnaldum was forced out during the international break.
In that case, Emre Can might mark his return in the game and will most probably be playing as a defensive midfielder and that will give the skipper, Henderson, all the authority to go forward at times. Both the players will have to be on their toes as Mata and Pogba will be looking to grab every single chance thrown at them.
With that being done, Coutinho might, yet again, have to play in an unfamiliar role. That surely isn’t his home spot, but nothing comes before the team.
Attacking Trio: Mane; Sturridge; Firmino-
With Coutinho shifting a little deeper, Sturridge might make his way into the first team. The new arrival, Sadio Mane, will be playing in his usual spot and will be up against Shaw or Blind. In both the cases, he is expected to outwit the fullbacks with his bag full of pace and trickery.
Firmino, on the other hand, will be playing on the other flank and will be up against Antonio Valencia, who is well capable of matching the Brazilian in every aspect of the field. Furthermore, Sturridge will be having a tough night against the likes of Bailly and Blind.
A nail-biting encounter, to say the least.
