LIVERPOOL V SHEFF UTD // THURSDAY 4 APRIL 19:30 BST
Fresh from a weekend that everything went our way. Well apart from the obvious VAR BS (We'll do a post on that at the end of the season). We go into what should be on paper a pretty chilled home game against strugglers Sheffield United before we return to Old Trafford at the weekend.
The result against Brighton was huge and a bit of a mini statement of intent if you like. After some disappointing results against them under De Zerbi we totally outclassed and outplayed them barring the odd minor scare.. Mac Allister was indeed the beast we predicted he would be in the preview and his moment of genius created the match winning goal.
Virg & Quansah are becoming a formidable pairing in the heart of defence, At times you can't tell who's who as they are both on another level. Virg seems to have added that bit of fight to his game now too. A bit of anger that all leaders need to show at times. Sure he is coolness personified thankfully cos that Brighton defender would have got bullseyed if it was Nunez or his and our mate Suarez..
So 2 points gained on City & Arsenal as they played out one of the greatest 0-0's we have witnessed. In fact I was so chilled with 30 minutes to go I had a little doze, a shower and a cup of tea before I went back in the lounge to hear the final whistle and check out the league table.. It sure does look good but there's plenty left to do. Starting off with The Blades.
They looked in dire straits mid season getting smashed left right and centre.. But they have finally started to hit the back of the net while still leaking a few. Scoring 5 and letting in the same amount in 2 back to back draws against Bournemouth & Fulham. They are still rooted to the bottom of the table with a minus 50 goal difference.
QUICK STAT CHECK Liverpool have Won 5 & Drawn 1 of their last 6 games.. Sheffield United have Won 1, Drawn 2 & Lost 3 in that time..
LIVERPOOL LINE UP
Kelleher, Gomez, Virg, Quansah, Tsimikas, Endo, Mac Allister, Harvey, Diaz, Nunez, Mo
LIVERPOOL TEAM NEWS
No real changes to the injury list this time round although Robbo & Curtis are close to a return..Thiago & Matip are out for the season. Ali & Bajcetic could come in to contention mid April. Trent & Jota a week sooner possibly.
You'd expect maybe a couple of changes from the Brighton game in preparation for the trip to OT. Bradley could have earned a rest. Maybe a midfielder or attacking breather too. Time will tell but we have more than adequate cover whoever comes in. Tsimikas should be a shout at left back. While Joe takes up his normal right back spot.
Endo is just a machine and should protect that back line while Harvey would come into be the creative outlet alongside Mac Allister or Szoboszlai. The front 3 could well be the same but Gakpo may be a shout to come in for Nunez or Diaz. As he needs to get firing. Like Virg he needs to loose that chilled Dutch coolness and explode..
This game has got Mo Salah's name written all over it.. Expect multiple goals and assists. He ran Brighton ragged at the weekend. His shooting was shocking at times but he keeps going and bagged the winner. He'll hit 3 or 4 of them in this one..
OurLFC DANGERMAN Mo Salah.
SHEFFIELD UNITED TEAM LINE UP
Gerbil, Holgate, Ahmedhodzic, Robinson, Bogle, Souza, Arblaster, Hamer, Osborn, McBurnie, Brereton
SHEFFIELD UNITED TEAM NEWS
The Blades are without 11 players. Although there are late fitness tests on a few. Lowe, Norrington-Davies, Basham, Egan, Baldock, Davies, Brewster & Jebbison are ruled out. Archer, Souza & Arblaster could play a part
Its hard to pick out any real positives for Sheffield United as the Premier League has looked a step too far from day one for them. Robinson will look forward to playing at Anfield again. He's forged a good career there. Holgate (try spelling that with spell check on. It's annoying) with his Everton roots will be up for it.
Souza adds a little bit of Sheffield Steel.. Hamer was good in the lower leagues last season and McBurnie will hit the net if given a chance. If they indeed do get relegated. They could do with much better preparation next time they come back up. Which this team will struggle to do straight away.
THE GAME
Sheffield United will need to set up really strong here 5-4-1. Defend deep and hope to stop that opening goal. Cos once it comes the flood gates will surely open. We are never as stupid to be complacent in any fixture against the 11 men of the opposing team and the 7 or so men refereeing the game on the pitch and in the VAR room. Suckers..
Just to reiterate.. I am always asked do you think we will win the league. The answer is always a resounding YES. Under Klopp this team can win anything. Anything!! It's the referees who will dictate whether we will. This is wrong on so many levels and a major reason Klopp is leaving.
Lets face it if you were managing in a foreign country would you put up with it. I know I wouldn't.. That being said if I was the Liverpool manager you'd have to drag me out the building. So back to the game..
It will be an out and out onslaught from The Reds. From all angles. Fast build up play. Cute through balls. Distance shooting and set pieces.. Taking them early chances as ever will dictate the game. If we can get a serious advantage by the break then players can be rested for the weekend.
When you are shipping multiple goals at home like Sheffield United have games like these seem like a mountain. Yet with nothing to lose they should just open up and go for it. Which in all honesty they probably will. So keeping a clean sheet is what that Liverpool back line will going all out for.
PREDICTION.. 6-0 TO THEM MIGHTY REDS
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