Liverpool at Sheffield United kicks off the next set of Premier League fixtures with the Reds optimistic that their stellar winger Sadio Mane will be available. The co-Golden Boot winner suffered a dead leg/minor leg last weekend in a win over Chelsea.
In more positive news, midfielder Naby Keita is fully fit again after making his comeback and starting in the win over MK Dons last night. However, Reds boss Jurgen Klopp cautions against expecting too much from the former RB Leipzig man right away.
“Obviously he looked good in moments, he looked really good in moments, but he has to adapt to the position again,” he told reporters.
“You see it with Ox [Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain] as well. Naturally, you move much more and stuff like this, you find each other much more, but that’s how it is.
“He was out for a while, but in moments you saw what an incredible player he is and how important he will be for us.
“We don’t have to rush it now hopefully, but we can use him now and that’s good, good for us. There’s a long season to go and everything will be fine.”
Elsewhere, midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri is ruled out due to a calf injury he suffered this week. Additionally, Divock Origi (ankle) and Alisson Becker (calf) remain long term injury absentees.
Flipping over to the hosts, the newly promoted side have exceeded expectations thus far, as they currently sit mid-table, with a positive goal differential on the season.
Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder rotated his side heavily in the League Cup defeat to Sunderland, and will thus recall the majority his regulars who were rested in midweek for the clash against the current table toppers.
However, David McGoldrick is a doubt due to a groin injury, while fellow forward Billy Sharp serves the final match of his three game ban.
Liverpool FC at Sheffield United FYIs
Kickoff: Sat. Sept 28, 12:30 pm, Bramall Lane
Liverpool Starting XI Prediction: go to this link
Google Result Probability: Liverpool win 70% Draw 20% Sheffield United win 10%
Odds via Sports Bet: Liverpool win 1.3 Draw 5.0 Sheffield United win 9.5
Form Guide: Liverpool WWWWW Sheffield United WLDLW
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, the author of “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry,” regularly appears on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
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