Liverpool vs Sheffield United Match Preview: Title challengers versus Relegation-threatened Blades
The Reds are within striking distance of league leaders Arsenal as we head into the busy December series of games. If the Gunners draw their game this week and Liverpool secure a win over Sheffield United, we will move to the summit of the Premier League table; albeit by a single point. However, it will not come so easy for Jurgen Klopp and Co.
Heading into this game, both sides have contrasting fortunes. Liverpool would count themselves lucky to salvage all three points at Fortress Anfield against Fulham after going a goal down with less than ten minutes to go. Wataru Endo and Trent Alexander-Arnold scored within a minute of each other to hand the Reds a famous victory. They ensured that the perfect run at Anfield this season continues as the club continues to rebuild.
On the other hand, Sheffield United lost 5-0 at home to 19th-placed Burnley, leading to the sacking of Paul Heckingbottom. The Blades currently find themselves at the bottom of the table with a single win in their 14 games. Former manager Chris Wilder shall take charge at Bramall Lane once again, rekindling an old rivalry of sorts with Jurgen Klopp.
Team News
More on that rivalry later, let’s get into how the teams might line up. Joel Matip’s unfortunate injury in the clash against the Cottagers will most likely have Ibrahima Konate take his place in the starting XI. The rest of the backline should more or less be the same assuming Jurgen Klopp doesn’t want to experiment with Trent Alexander-Arnold in a starting role in the middle of the park.
If that is the case, we might see a midfield three of Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister and Trent, with Joe Gomez playing as a right-back. Ryan Gravenberch was not at his best against Fulham and was guilty of losing the ball to Tom Cairney for their third goal, so that might be something where Pep Lijnders and Jurgen Klopp might want to have a discussion.
Predicted XI and Formations
New manager bounce for Sheffield on the other hand will make them unpredictable. Like Heckingbottom, Wilder also prefers a much more pragmatic approach with an adjustable 3-5-2 formation subject to match requirements. Expect nothing different from a team that’s battling relegation and has fewer points than a team that stands in the face of a ten-point reduction.
One certain change for Sheffield United will be that of Oli McBurnie. Two yellow cards against Burnley means he shall not have a part to play against Liverpool. Expect Cameron Archer to spearhead in the absence of McBurnie.
Recent Form
From a broader perspective, the Reds’ away form is decent but the last four games have been a concern. A loss to Tottenham followed by three back-to-back away draws to Brighton and Hove Albion, Luton Town and Manchester City. Liverpool surely need to improve on that front if they want to have an actual crack at the league title this season.
Also, four of Sheffield’s five points this season have come at home. These came in a win against Wolves and a draw to Everton. The Reds will have to start the game quickly. Liverpool have conceded the first goal in each of their last six Premier League away games.
The earlier we put the game to bed, the better it bodes for Liverpool. Not every game is like the one against Fulham and we cannot leave it for later. Hitting Sheffield when they expect us to slowly build our goals up should be the priority. If we get in two goals before the halfway stage and show defensive resilience, absolutely nothing like it.
The game against Luton Town away should work as the chassis for this game. Jurgen Klopp tried to invert TAA to overload the midfield which opened up gaps wide from where Luton threatened on the counter and eventually managed to get a point against the Reds.
This time, however, it would probably fetch the Merseysiders a better result if we stretch and widen the pitch and use the flanks effectively. Instead of hoarding the middle of the park, if we stretch the opposition out and use Trent from a wider role, the Reds might have a better chance of walking away with all three points from an away game for the first time since September.
Duel to Watch
Darwin Nunez against the crossbar might be a good shout. Five of his shots this season have hit the woodwork, and he has also missed 13 big chances. Irrespective of that, we support him wholeheartedly. However, the main match-up in this game is off-field. Jurgen Klopp vs Chris Wilder. The “World-Class Politician” against the “Loud One”. Even though their relationship is now mostly fine, the war of words between them both was one for the books a few seasons ago.
To predict the outcome of this game is very difficult as we do not know what version of Sheffield will turn up. Nevertheless, up the Reds! Liverpool have the quality and momentum to come away with a comfortable 3-0 win on the night.
More Liverpool News
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- Juventus preparing for Federico Chiesa offers amid Liverpool links
- Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is full of praise for Caoimhin Kelleher
Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold are the key players for Liverpool. For Sheffield, Cameron Archer, Gustavo Hamer and James McAtee will play a key role in their quest to get the better of the Reds.
