Heading to Anfield

For much of the season, Liverpool’s defence of their second Premier League title was among the worst on record.

This culminated in a drop to 12th place in November, but the spirited revival since December has restored them back to the top six.

Head coach Arne Slot cited the absence of key players and fixture congestion, as well as poor finishing and individual defensive errors, as reasons for their underperformance before the turn of the year

Inconsistent Reds

Curtis Jones (5) and Dominik Szoboszlai (4) are in the top three players for mistakes leading to an opponent having a shot on goal, and more was expected of big summer additions such as Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz.

A variety of players from other positions have fulfilled full-back roles, most recently Curtis Jones on the right, and Cobham-schooled Rio Ngumoha has enjoyed a few more minutes upfront.

Though Szoboszlai repeated his habit of delivering in important moments, the Reds again left space in midfield that the United counter-attacks exposed – and their vulnerability at set-plays reared its head once more.

Slot’s side have also conceded nine 90-minute-plus goals in the league.

Early team news

Injuries mean that the season is over for Conor Bradley, Hugo Eikitike and Giovanni Leoni, and this game comes too early for Wataru Endo and former Chelsea man, Mo Salah.

However, Alisson Becker or Giorgi Mamardashvili may return between the sticks for Freddie Woodman, with frontman Isak another possible returnee.