It’s what many describe as the biggest game of the Premier League calendar, Liverpool will travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United on Saturday.
This is a game that has so much history and one that will have huge implications as to who achieves a second place finish this season. The home side sit in second, just two points above third placed Liverpool.
Two heavyweight managers and two huge clubs will lock horns when the clock hits 12:30 on Saturday afternoon. The sides drew 0-0 earlier this season when they met at Anfield. Jose Mourinho had a game plan and came away from the game with the point he wanted. It should be more of an open encounter this time with United hosting the Reds.
Here’s my Liverpool predicted XI for the game:
Loris Karius
Karius has improved a vast amount since forcing himself back into Klopp’s plans and he is now looking like Liverpool’s established first choice ‘keeper. Another clean sheet in midweek will have his confidence sky-high, but he could face a bombardment if United are on their game.
Trent Alexander-Arnold
A lot has happened in the career of Trent Alexander-Arnold since he was well and truly thrown into the deep end for his first league start in this fixture last season. At such a young age, he’s looking a huge talent and someone who will be in Klopp’s plans for years to come.
Virgil van Dijk
Van Dijk was rested in midweek during the 0-0 draw with Porto, with this game completely in mind. The Dutch international is looking better and better with each game he plays and there’s no better game to prove you’re worth a £75m price tag than away at Old Trafford.
Dejan Lovren
Klopp has been publicly very happy with Lovren’s performances recently and that’s why I think he gets the nod over Joel Matip. He always has a mistake in him but there’s no reason he shouldn’t be starting with his improved performances recently.
Andy Robertson
The man has been a revelation for the Reds since he came into the side following Alberto Moreno’s injury. The £8m fee from Hull City in the summer is looking more of a bargain each time he plays. After consistently delivering 7/10 performances so far this season, and with him being rested in midweek; there’s no doubt that he starts.
Jordan Henderson
I think Klopp will pick Henderson on Saturday as he will want his captain to put in a big performance, the ones we used to see from Steven Gerrard in games like this. It’s likely that Henderson will be the first one to be withdrawn if things aren’t perhaps going the away side’s way.
Gini Wijnaldum
Wijnaldum is a strange one as he tends to play better in these big games than he does against the so called ‘lesser’ sides. It’s definitely not a bad thing to have such a player in your squad though. I think he’ll get the nod in front of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on Saturday just because he’s proved to Klopp since he was signed that he can make a massive difference in the bigger games.
Emre Can
Can’s power in this game could be what Liverpool need. There could definitely be a potential battle with Paul Pogba and the German’s height and strength can help minimise Pogba’s threat. Can has put in decent performances as of late.
Sadio Mane
Mane’s goalscoring touch looks as if it has returned recently and his and Mo Salah’s pace on the break is a frightening prospect for any defence. The Senegalese international could be key for Liverpool trying to break United down on Saturday.
Mohamed Salah
The man of the moment in the Premier League. Salah scored his 24th league goal of the season last weekend against Newcastle and a 20 minute cameo against Porto means he should be fresh for this huge game.
Roberto Firmino
He’s having his best season in terms of goals in a Liverpool shirt and Firmino completes the front three who have proven time and time again this season how devastating and clinical they are away from home. If Liverpool’s front three click, I cannot see anything but an away win on Saturday.
