Liverpool Predicted XI: We predict Jurgen Klopp’s starting XI as Liverpool host Sheffield United in the Premier League tonight

Liverpool Predicted XI: We predict Jurgen Klopp’s starting XI as Liverpool host Sheffield United in the Premier League tonight.

It’s been a crazy start to the season for the Reds as they’ve put in impressive performances alongside some dreadful results in the league.

They also found out the news last weekend that they have lost their talisman and best defender Virgil van Dijk for potentially the whole season.

Despite these woes, the Reds put in a solid performance against Ajax midweek in the Champions League and will be firm favourites to take all three points in tonight’s clash.

The away side, Sheffield United have been a far cry from the team who performed so well last season, currently sitting in 19th position with just one point from five games.

So which players will the German boss task with getting a positive result at Anfield?

Here we predict Klopp’s starting XI for Liverpool’s trip to Sheffield United…

Goalkeeper: With first-choice Alisson still sidelined, Adrian will continue to deputise between the sticks for the Reds. The Spaniard often receives criticism, but he kept a clean sheet in the Champions League and Klopp always sticks by his man.  This means that Irish stopper Caoimhin Kelleher will continue to add cover on the bench.

Defenders: The big news is that the Reds will have to do without Virgil van Dijk for quite some time after he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury against Everton due to Jordan Pickford’s questionable challenge. With only five clean sheets kept in their previous 23 matches, things were not exactly rosy defensively, but there’s no question that the Dutchman will be sorely missed. Added to that, Joel Matip missed set to miss the trip to Ajax after picking up an injury against Everton, meaning Joe Gomez is expected to partner Fabinho at the heart of the backline once again. In better news, star full-backs Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson will continue in their normal roles.

Midfielders: Injuries are also an issue for the Reds in the midfield. Summer recruit Thiago has  not managed to gain a consistent run in the side due to niggling injuries, but he is available for selection today and we expect him to start in the midfield alongside Naby Keita and Gini Wijnaldum with Jordan Henderson given a much-needed rest.

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Forwards: If there’s been setbacks for Klopp in the goalkeeping, defence and midfield departments, then the German will be even more delighted to know that his fearsome front-three are all fit and available. Roberto Firmino, Mo Salah and Sadio Mane contribute a large proportion of goals for the Reds and will all be expecting to start tonight’s encounter.

Predicted XI: Adrian; Alexander-Arnold, Fabinho, Gomez, Robertson; Keita, Thiago, Wijnaldum; Salah, Firmino, Mane.