Liverpool vs Sheffield United

April 4, 2024

As the midweek hustle settles over Anfield, the stage is set for a gripping battle as Liverpool and Sheffield United lock horns in a crucial Premier League encounter under the floodlights.

Liverpool claimed a 2-0 win at Bramall Lane earlier this season (in December), with goals from captain Virgil van Dijk and Dominik Szoboszlai. It marked their sixth consecutive victory over Sheffield United in the Premier League.

All in all, the Blades are looking to beat Liverpool for the first time since 2 April 1994, when Jostein Flo's second-half brace earned them a memorable 2-1 comeback win at Anfield.

Liverpool Betting Preview (-1429 at Everygame)

After a dramatic 4-3 defeat to arch-rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup quarter-finals before the break, Liverpool returned to winning ways with a 2-1 comeback win over Brighton on Sunday afternoon. For the seventh time in 2023-24, the Reds successfully came from behind to collect maximum points in a Premier League match.

Jurgen Klopp's men are in the midst of a thrilling Premier League title race, as they are involved in a fierce battle with Arsenal and Manchester City.

With wins for Arsenal and Manchester City on Wednesday, Liverpool now sits second in the Premier League table, one point behind Arsenal and level on points with Manchester City in third.

This will be the first of the final four Premier League home games that Liverpool have under Jurgen Klopp, and the Reds will need to be relentless against relegation-bound Sheffield United.

Meanwhile, Jurgen Klopp shared an update on several players' fitness. The German hopes Trent Alexander-Arnold and Diogo Jota will return to training next week. Alisson is also making good progress, but the Brazilian is still some weeks away.

Furthermore, "Curtis Jones is in full training and is in contention," Klopp said, but Japanese midfielder Wataru Endo is doubtful after a knock against Brighton. Considering Endo's condition, a late decision will need to be made over whether the Japanese midfielder will be available midweek.

With Jones available for selection, it remains to be seen how many minutes the Liverpool boss will give to the Liverpool Academy graduate against the Blades.

Harvey Elliott could also be rewarded with more playing minutes on his 21^st birthday. The England U21 international is looking for his first start since the 1-1 home draw with Manchester City last month.

Andy Robertson is also expected to return to the matchday squad after recovering from an ankle injury. The Scotland left-back missed the victory over Brighton with the injury that he sustained while on international duty last month.

However, Joel Matip, Stefan Bajcetic, Thiago Alcantara, and Ben Doak remain long-term absentees for Liverpool, with Bajcetic now working on his match fitness with the youth squad.

Sheffield United Betting Preview (+2000 at Everygame)

The Blades were on course to pick up their fourth Premier League win of the season on Saturday when they led 3-1 at home to Fulham with just four minutes of average time remaining. However, defensive errors were once again costly for the South Yorkshire outfit, and letting a two-goal lead slip for a second game in a row was "a difficult one to take" for manager Chris Wilder.

Sheffield United has been at the bottom of the table for most of the campaign, and they are perfectly aware that salvation is almost impossible. Yet, Chris Wilder's men have avoided defeat in back-to-back league games for the first time since November and now have 15 points.

They are 10 points off safety, and even though they have two games in hand over Nottingham Forest, it looks unlikely that Sheffield United will have the power to produce an unbelievable winning streak in their final nine league games.

Ben Brereton Diaz delivered a fantastic attacking display against Fulham at the weekend. The Chilean forward scored a brace and added an assist, and he already has five goal contributions (four goals, one assist) in his first five top-flight matches for the Blades.

Jack Robinson is set to start in a back three alongside Mason Holgate and Anel Ahmedhodzic against his boyhood club.

On the injury front, Sheffield United's packed treatment room includes Max Lowe, John Egan, Chris Basham (all ankle), Rhys Norrington-Davies, Tom Davies, and Rhian Brewster (all hamstring). At the same time, George Baldock (calf) and Daniel Jebbison (illness) are also set to miss out.

Elsewhere, Brazilian midfielder Vinicius Souza was taken off with cramp in the 3-3 draw with Fulham, while youngster Oliver Arblaster picked up a knock. Both players will be assessed ahead of the trip to Merseyside. Cameron Archer is also a doubt, even though the forward has made positive progress in his recovery from a calf injury.

If he's fit, teenager Oliver Arblaster will push for another start in the middle but don't expect wholesale changes, if any at all, from Chris Wilder here, even though James McAtee hopes to regain his starting spot.

Possible Starting Lineups of Liverpool and Sheffield United

Liverpool: Caoimhin Kelleher - Joe Gomez, Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Conor Bradley - Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai - Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo, Mohamed Salah. (4-3-3)

Sheffield United: Ivo Grbic - Mason Holgate, Anel Ahmedhodzic, Jack Robinson - Jayden Bogle, Vinicius Souza, Oliver Arblaster, Gustavo Hamer, Ben Osborn - Oli McBurnie, Ben Brereton Díaz. (3-5-2)

Spooky Express Betting Prediction

Having the league's most leaking defense is a major cause of concern when you're about to visit Anfield, and Liverpool could be tempted to boost their goal difference. Anything other than a Liverpool win would be a huge shock.

Jurgen Klopp could be tempted to rotate the squad (considering the crucial trip to Old Trafford on Sunday) and field some backup players or even youngsters at some point. With that said Sheffield United has a decent chance of scoring a consolation goal at Anfield on Thursday night.

Spooky Express Free Play: Outcome And Both To Score - Liverpool and Yes +120 at Everygame for 5/10 Units

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