SUMMARY
- Injury-hit Liverpool and Manchester United will clash in the Premier League in what is set to effectively decide the future for both clubs.
- Liverpool are vying for the title, whereas, United are barely hanging on to hopes for a UEFA Champions League spot.
Liverpool will travel to Manchester United in an all-important clash for their title hopes. On the other hand, stakes are high for United as well as they scramble to grasp the final UEFA Champions League spot. Both teams have suffered due to their respective injury crises this season. However, Liverpool has received a glimmer of hope with one of their star midfielders of the season hoping to make a comeback against United.
In their last outing, Liverpool were comfortable 3-1 winners over relegation-threatened Sheffield United. Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp informed the press post-match about Wataru Endo. The Japanese midfielder picked up a knock against Brighton & Hove Albion last week and was not risked against Sheffield in the mid-week fixture.
“That’s my information [that he will be fit],” Klopp said. “We rested him today. We had a feeling there could have been a chance for tonight but if we leave him out then there is a big chance for Sunday. I hope that didn’t change.”
Endo is highly likely to start in a midfield consisting of Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister. Both the Hungarian and the Argentinian are in great form and the trio is expected to dominate United’s midfield without much worry.
While Endo might take to the field at Old Trafford, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Diogo Jota, Allison Becker, Joel Matip, and Thiago Alcantara are still unavailable for the fixture.
Manchester United dealt a triple injury blow before Liverpool clash
United has been extremely inconsistent throughout the season because of their players’ availability. Their injury crisis is one of the worst in a long time. Adding salt to injury, they have conceded heartbreaking late goals to lose points.
Latest in the list was the debacle against Chelsea. United led 3-2 until the 97th minute before Cole Palmer scored a penalty and added another from a corner to win the game for the Blues. United were left devastated. In the match against Chelsea, Raphael Varane, Jonny Evans, and Casemiro were subbed out due to injury. The trio is unlikely to start against Liverpool.
They join a long list of injured players in the United squad including Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof, Altay Bayindir, Tyrell Malacia, Luke Shaw, and Anthony Martial.
What happened when United last faced Liverpool?
We were treated to a United vs. Liverpool last time out. Just three weeks ago, United and Liverpool met in the FA Cup quarter-final. The match went into extra-time and Amad Diallo scored a late winner to secure United’s berth in the FA Cup semi-final.
In the Premier League, Liverpool last hosted United in December 2023. The match ended in a 0-0 draw with Diogo Dalot being shown a red card in the final minutes.
View this post on Instagram
However, things are bound to be different in their upcoming Premier League clash. It is unlikely that United’s makeshift defense can take the load that Liverpool is going to pile on them. Likewise, Liverpool’s defense will also not be their first-choice. Expect goals but also expect a victory for the visitors. In all likeliness, Liverpool will march on toward the title while United will have to settle for a lower European tier.