The Champions League victory in midweek was fantastic for Liverpool as a club, and the fans, but it has taken its toll, injury-wise.
Joel Matip has now joined Joe Gomez on the sidelines for at least six weeks - leaving the Reds very short in defence.
This is one of the most intriguing Liverpool teamsheets of the season - with Jurgen Klopp not having many options to choose from.
GK – Alisson Becker
At this moment in time, there isn’t a goalkeeper on the planet I’d rather have in net for Liverpool than this handsome, shot-stopping machine.
He’ll be called upon again in a match of this magnitude and will be judged against his counterpart on the other end, David de Gea, who has been among the best in the world for several years.
LB – Andy Robertson
I’m convinced at this point that Robbo is incapable of playing a poor game.
He always shows up and even when his touch lets him down, he’s still got the determination and energy to make up for it.
It will be his responsibility to keep the United forwards and full back pinned deep and provide his typical crossing threat against a United defence that’s been exposed frequently this year.
CB – Virgil van Dijk
Liverpool’s defensive woes are mounting by the game, but unlike in years past, they now have a behemoth, world class defender to keep the ship on course.
There will be concerns though that van Dijk’s workload could get overwhelming over the next 4-6 weeks and if he were to also pick up a knock, their title chances would probably end as well.
CB – Dejan Lovren
This is an automatic pick out of necessity more than preference. Aside form Virg, Lovren is the only other fit central defender Klopp can turn to unless he brings up one of the young academy kids.
To be honest, I don’t think it matter much who plays next to van Dijk because his quality is such that he makes anyone else partnered with him instantly better and more confident.
RB – James Milner
Klopp confirmed on Friday that Trent’s unable to play after coming off with an injury on Tuesday.
That leaves the recently fit Nathaniel Clyne who hasn’t practiced for several weeks or the more likely scenario where Klopp turns to Mr. Versatility, James Milner, to deputise.
He’s proven his defensive acumen spending an entire season at left back and will find a home in this position for the next month or so until the defensive injuries start clearing up.
MF – Georginio Wijnaldum
It will be interesting to see what formation and tactics Klopp goes with at home against the weakest United side in many years.
He could approach with the more comfortable 4-3-3 that he implemented against Napoli to great success, but I would opt for the 4-2-3-1.
It’s no secret that Jose Mourinho likes to sit back and defend for a point or hope to get a goal on the counter when he travels to top six clubs.
That style will force Liverpool to break through a congested wall of bodies using intricate passing in the final third.
Gini has been in brilliant form all season and will push further up the pitch than his counterpart in the midfield who will sit back more and protect Liverpool’s back line from being countered with pace.
MF – Fabinho
That counterpart I mentioned will be Fabinho who is growing into the team after several impressive performances recently.
Mourinho will probably start Fellaini in the middle of the pitch to be there to hold up play when United do counter and it’ll be Fabinho’s job to mark him tight and not allow time for United to get bodies into the attack.
FW – Xherdan Shaqiri
More often than not, when Xherdan Shaqiri starts for Liverpool this season he’s been the liveliest player and usually creates the most chances for himself and the other forward players.
He’ll be vital if United sit back and force Liverpool to play through the lines, using his intelligent runs and excellent vision.
FW – Roberto Firmino
I would play Bobby Firmino up top as the central striker in this formation but expect Klopp to instead tuck him in just behind whoever ends up in the striker position.
His work-rate and pressing will be utilised against the likes of Matic, Herrera or anyone else Mourinho plays in midfield to win possession back quickly for Liverpool and build their attack.
He’ll also need to use his knack for drawing defenders out to disrupt United’s central defenders and open space for Mane, Salah and Shaqiri.
FW – Sadio Mane
Sadio will probably have spent all week kicking himself for not scoring at least a brace (and probably three or four) on Tuesday against Napoli.
He constantly found himself in high danger areas and either missed the net completely or had opportunities saved by a game David Ospina.
He’ll know those chances will eventually go in if he continues to find himself in these spaces and I predict he’ll score the game winner to make amends for his wastefulness earlier in the week.
ST – Mohamed Salah
Don’t look now, but Mo Salah is on the cusp of reaching the elite level of form he was in through large stretches of last season.
He’s finding the back of the net at a good rate again and seems more confident on the ball with an extra spring in his step.
I think he was nursing the shoulder injury more than we knew throughout the World Cup and into the start of the Premier League season and it took his body longer than expected to completely recover.
Now that he looks happier and fitter, the goals seem certain to start flowing at a time when Liverpool will need them most as they look to truly make a run at the League title.
