Key events
10 mins: Without Endo, Mac Allister is tasked with the role of being the deepest defensive midfielder. The Argentinian is more than happy to drop in into space to collect the ball from the goalkeeper and start attacks, especially because he is being permitted lots of space.
8 mins: There is another chance for Liverpool as Gomez sends in a cross from deep but it is a little high for Nunez who can only glance a header wide. Liverpool look to be in control of proceedings after a slow start in the opening two minutes.
6 mins: Grbic comes for a cross but flaps the ball straight to Salah who takes aim but the goalkeeper recovers to tip over.
4 mins: We have a break in player after Gravenberch and Souza clash heads.
Liverpool did concede after 87 seconds on Sunday, so they might need to work on being quicker out of the blocks.
“If things go to form then we’re going to see the irresistible force meeting the all-too-unresisting object,” says Charles Antaki. “I’m not sure that that Greek philosopher had much to say about that, but I guess if pressed they’d probably say 4-0.”
2 mins: The resulting corner is worked in a similar manner with a flick at the front but Breteton Diaz can’t get a final touch at the back. Is this going to be as good as it gets for the Blades?
1 min: Sheffield United have the kick-off and desperately try to force themselves up the pitch. It works and Robinson gets an early chance to launch a throw-in into the box. The ball is flicked on at the front post and McAtee is free at the back but his shot is blocked by Kelleher. What a start that would have been.
Kick off
Peep! Peep! Peep! Here we go!
The teams are on their way!
“That bench!” exclaims Dean Kinsella. “I think everyone on LFC’s would be included in the Sheffield first XI. The haves and the have-nots of football accurately mirroring the society in which it exists.”
Alternatively, you can join Tim de Lisle for Chelsea v Man United.
Mark Bowen emails: “I’m sure Holgate will get a warm welcome back to Anfield after he tried to frame Firmino a few years back.”
Let bygones be bygones.
Jurgen Klopp is taking it all in his stride. “I am happy with our situation and I don’t think you can compare these things, a lot of things have changed since then [Liverpool’s title win in 2019-20].
“If you start the season you hope for things like this, but it is a long journey and we want to make the final step as well.”
We expecting a pause after 25 minutes at Anfield tonight to allow Muslim players to break fast during Ramadan.
I was at Anfield on Sunday. It was quite hard work for Liverpool because Brighton were well organised but the result rarely looked in doubt.
Chris Wilder also speaks: “We have got to have a structure and we have got to enjoy the challenge ahead of us. I am sure that plenty of players would love to be in the position that our players are in tonight, in front of an incredible crowd.”
“We have managed to nick a couple of draws after a difficult evening against a top Arsenal team [they lost 6-0 at home]. We have got to perform tonight and bring our A-game to get anything, this is the Premier League and if you are going got get the shock result we have to be at our A-game. I have been a little critical regarding the substitutions we have had to make; not tactical ones, but physical ones – it is important that I freshen it up.”
Captain Jack (Robinson) has a cunning plan and he’s been telling TNT all about it. “It’s going to be a tough game, we have got to be at our very best tonight,” Robinson says. “We have had a couple of results lately so it’s a chance to take that confidence into tonight.”
Starting lineups
Liverpool (4-3-3): Kelleher; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Gomez; Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Gravenberch; Salah, Nunez, Diaz.
Subs: Adrian, Jones, Gakpo, Elliott, Tsimikas, Robertson, Clark, Danns, Quansah.
Sheffield United (5-3-1-1): Grbic; Bogle, Holgate, Ahmedhodzic, Trusty, Robinson; Vini Souza, Arblaster, Hamer; McAtee; Brereton Diaz
Subs: Foderingham, McBurnie, Norwood, Osborn, Slimane, Larouci, Curtis, Osula, Brooks
It’s all about attitude.
Hello!
If you are looking to move two points clear at the top of the Premier League table, it always helps to be hosting the very worst team in the division. Arsenal and Manchester City won last night to keep the pressure on Liverpool but, with Sheffield United in town, will not be too concerned about the outcome later.
The Blades have won three times all season and have thrown away leads in injury-time in their past two outings, so the signs are not good for Chris Wilder and his soon-to-be Championship squad. But surely they can provide one last hurrah for their fans by securing an unlikely victory to make this dismal season somewhat memorable.
Liverpool had to toil a bit on Sunday to down Brighton but they got there in the end. Anfield was rocking because they know they have a chance of sending Jurgen Klopp on his merry way with a second title in his back pocket, which would be a lovely finish for the German.
Let’s hope for a cracker!
Kick-off: 7.30pm BST
