Liverpool vs Manchester United team news and predicted line-ups: Elliott gets chance, Rashford in but no Fernandes or Maguire

Liverpool will be desperate to inflict more misery on old foes Manchester United when the two sides meet at Anfield this weekend.

 

Jurgen Klopp‘s side are on a nine-game Premier League run that’s seen them go top of the table while United have lost three of their last four matches in all competitions.

Liverpool is entering this match in excellent form after defeating Erik ten Hag’s team seven goals in their previous meeting in April.

After their most recent game, a late 2-1 comeback victory over Crystal Palace, the Reds surpassed Arsenal at the top of the table.

United has conceded three goals in a row at home against Bournemouth, dropping them ten points behind their competitors in sixth place.

The Old Trafford team’s suffering increased when they lost to Bayern Munich 1-0 in midweek, eliminating them from the Champions League.

Liverpool

Liverpool are in European action before Sunday’s game, taking on Union Saint-Gilloise.

However, the club have already qualified for the Europa League knockout stages, meaning Alisson, Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah can all expect to be rested.

That quartet will make up the spine of the Liverpool team facing United on Sunday, with Ibrahima Konate partnering Van Dijk in defence.

Kostas Tsimikas will continue to deputise for the injured Andy Robertson at left-back, but Klopp has a decision to make on the right.

The German withdrew Wataru Endo at half-time at Selhurst Park and he may choose to start Joe Gomez at right-back to push Alexander-Arnold into midfield.

However, Alexis Mac Allister‘s continued struggles with a knee injury will likely see the Japanese midfielder get the nod in the No.6 role.

Dominik Szoboszlai, who has started every Premier League game this season, fits in perfectly at one of the other three midfield positions.

Usually positioned on the right, the Hungarian may now move to the left to make room for Harvey Elliott due to Ryan Gravenberch’s recent setbacks.

Elliott was limited to a substitute duty in the Premier League this season despite starting Liverpool’s 7-0 victory over United.

The England prospect was benched during halftime of his only Premier League start to date, a 2-2 draw away at Brighton.

But in his most recent brilliant cameo, he came off the bench to score the game-winning goal against Palace, and he might now be rewarded with a start.

If Mac Allister is unable to participate, Curtis Jones is still a viable possibility to fill the left-sided midfield position.

Although Cody Gakpo will be trying to break through the three-pronged attack, it is anticipated that Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz will once again be flanking Salah.

Last Saturday, Salah scored his 200th goal for Liverpool. Against United, he will want to build on his stellar performance.

Manchester United

Ten Hag has several different issues to sort out ahead of the trip to Anfield, chiefly being who will captain his side.

First-choice Bruno Fernandes will miss out through suspension after he was shown his fifth yellow card of the season in the dismal 3-0 defeat against the Cherries.

His predecessor Harry Maguire or England teammate Luke Shaw would have been natural fits to take the armband in his absence.

However, both defenders were forced off against Bayern in midweek with injuries and look unlikely to play a part on Merseyside.

In their absence, Ten Hag will be forced into a makeshift backline, with Diogo Dalot in an unfavoured role at left-back to allow Aaron Wan-Bissaka to start on the right.

United will be hoping Victor Lindelof is fit to enough after he missed the last two games or 35-year-old Jonny Evans will be alongside Raphael Varane against the league’s second-highest scorers.

As United’s best scorer in the Premier League this year, Scott McTominay might be able to play in a more advanced role now that Fernandes is sidelined from Ten Hag’s double pivot.

With Sofyan Amrabat as his teammate, young player Kobbie Mainoo—who hasn’t played much since his stunning showing against Everton—might get another chance to shine.

Due to Anthony Martial’s sickness, Rasmus Hojlund will likely start again in the Premier League as he attempts to get his first goal.

Jadon Sancho will continue to be left off the field despite having just one assist and no goals in his last 25 games, therefore Antony will be selected on the right.

With Fernandes out due to Ten Hag’s double pivot, Scott McTominay, United’s top scorer in the Premier League this season, may be allowed to play in a more advanced role.

Young player Kobbie Mainoo, who hasn’t featured much since his incredible performance against Everton, can get another chance to impress with Sofyan Amrabat as his partner.

Rasmus Hojlund will probably start again in the Premier League as he looks to score his first goal due to Anthony Martial’s illness.

Despite Jadon Sancho’s one assist and lack of goals in his last 25 games, he will still be kept off the pitch, therefore Antony will be chosen on the right.