Liverpool will face arch-rivals Manchester United on Thursday to play the fixture that was rescheduled due to a fan protest nearly a couple of weeks ago. The Reds will be desperate for a win to keep them in the running for a Champions League spot.
13 points currently separate the two teams, although Liverpool have a game in hand over the Red Devils. Jurgen Klopp’s side could only settle for a 0-0 draw in the reverse fixture earlier in the season, while they lost to United in the FA Cup.
Liverpool are currently undefeated in their last six Premier League games and won against Southampton last time around.
Liverpool Team News
Liverpool have numerous injuries to contend with ahead of their game against Manchester United. Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip, Joe Gomez, Ozan Kabak, and Ben Davies are the defenders that will miss the game due to injury.
Midfielders Jordan Henderson and Naby Keita will also not be available for selection, while James Milner is also a doubt for Thursday night’s game.
Predicted Liverpool Lineup vs Manchester United
Goalkeeper
Alisson will start in goal for the Reds against Manchester United on Thursday.
Defence
It will be interesting to see if Klopp persists with Rhys Williams and Nathaniel Phillips at the back, or if he pushes Fabinho back from midfield to the heart of the defence. But with a lack of options in the middle of the park due to injuries, Klopp may keep the Brazilian in midfield and persist with Williams and Phillips.
𝑰𝑻'𝑺 𝑴𝑨𝑻𝑪𝑯𝑫𝑨𝒀 🙌🔴
Old Trafford is the venue, as we take on @ManUtd! #MUNLIV pic.twitter.com/G2VeuTu53b
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 13, 2021
Andrew Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold should continue at left-back and right-back, respectively. The likes of Konstantinos Tsimikas and Neco Williams are options in the full-back areas off the bench for Jurgen Klopp.
Midfield
Jurgen Klopp could very well choose the same midfield trio as he did against Southampton. Fabinho could play as the deepest midfielder, dropping into defence to help out the two young centre-backs.
Thiago, who scored his first goal for Liverpool against the Saints, should start ahead of Fabinho in midfield, while Georginio Wijnaldum should continue as the third midfielder in the Liverpool lineup.
The likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and youngster Curtis Jones are other options for Klopp.
Attack
Klopp could bring back Roberto Firmino to the Liverpool lineup to compress the midfield area. Firmino should replace Jota in the Liverpool XI against Manchester United.
Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane should continue in the wide areas, with Jota as an option on the bench.
Predicted Liverpool Lineup vs Manchester United