When Liverpool FC hosts Manchester United on Sunday it will be the headliner fixture of the Premier League weekend; much like it is almost every time the two most decorated clubs in England get together. Yes, this is a match-up of the first place team and the sixth place side, but it’s also a contest that has seen this weekend’s underdogs actually having dominated the series of late.
The currently table topping team actually hasn’t beaten that sixth place side at home since September 2013. Let’s take a look at who Reds manager Jurgen Klopp could field in his starting XI as he attempts to end that trend.
Facing somewhat of an injury crisis in the back, Klopp might have to do some creative reshuffling in the position group.
Midfielder James Milner could replace injured defender Trent Alexander-Arnold at right back, while Nathaniel Clyne may return to the squad having not played since September.
There could be concerns that he’s not match fit enough to be selected though.
The Bank Liverpool FC Starting XI Prediction vs Manchester United (4-3-3)
Forwards: Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah
Midfielders: Naby Keita, Fabinho, Georginio Wijnaldum
Back line: Andrew Robertson, Virgil van Dijk, Dejan Lovren, James Milner
Goalkeeper: Alisson
Liverpool vs Manchester United FYIs
Jurgen Klopp Press Conference Video:
Kick-off: 4pm (BST), 11 am (EST), Sunday December 16th, Anfield
Injury Report: go to this link
Odds via Bet365: Liverpool 4/7, Draw 3/1, Southampton 5/1
Google Result Probability: Liverpool win 63%, Draw 22%, Manchester United 15%
Form guide: Liverpool- WLWWWW Manchester United- DWDDWL
Prediction: Liverpool 2, Manchester United 1
Feel free to post your own starting XI predictions, as well as your best guess as to what the final score will be. Enjoy the match everybody!
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, regularly appears as a guest pundit on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
He also contributes sociopolitical essays to Chicago Now. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram. The content of his cat’s Instagram account is unquestionably superior to his.