Jurgen Klopp has managed to take Liverpool to their first quarter-final appearance in the Champions League in over nine years as Liverpool beat Porto 5-0 on aggregate, in the round of 16. But they will now turn their attention to one of the most awaited games of the season this weekend, when they travel to Old Trafford, to take on Manchester United, who are just two points above the Reds.
The Red Devils needed late goals to see off Crystal Palace last weekend and have lost two of their last five games in the domestic league. Klopp’s men are fresh from an easy victory over Newcastle United in the league and will search for all three points, which will propel them to the second place in the points table. Mourinho has beaten Klopp just once in eight attempts but will look to turn things around this weekend. Klopp will settle for nothing less than three points and here is the predicted lineup he might field for this tie:
Team News:
The Reds have no new injury issues to worry about ahead of this game. Nathaniel Clyne is back in training but might only make the bench while midfielders Georginio Wijnaldum and Jordan Henderson are both expected to be back in action after nursing niggles earlier in the week. Andrew Robertson was not a part of the Liverpool squad that played Porto but should be back in action this weekend.
Expected lineup (4-3-3):
Defence:
After two clean sheets in the last two games, Loris Karius will be high on confidence, going into this crunch tie. Virgil van Dijk was an unused sub in the UCL tie against Porto and should be back in action, alongside Dejan Lovren, who put in a solid performance on Tuesday.
Alberto Moreno did no good to his reputation, making a few errors and should be replaced by Robertson, who is expected to be back fit from a knock he picked up in training. Joe Gomez did well in that game as well but could be replaced by Trent Alexandre-Arnold, who made his PL debut at Old Trafford, in a solid performance last season.
Midfield:
Having started two games in four days, skipper Jordan Henderson may be rested for this tie with Emre Can starting as the deepest of the midfielders. Alex Oxlade Chamberlain has been in decent form recently and should start in the midfield alongside Georginio Wijnaldum, who is just back from an illness.
Attack:
Salah was on the bench in midweek and he is sure to return to the starting lineup and all eyes will be on the leading goalscorer in the Premier League. He will be accompanied by Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane.
Here is how they might line up:
