Sheffield United travel to Liverpool to kick-off 2020 and they’ll be looking to cause a huge upset along the way.
The Blades finally surrendered their unbeaten Premier League away record at Manchester City yesterday. A 2-0 defeat meaning Chris Wilder’s men remain eighth in the table.
Wilder will take heart from an excellent performance at The Etihad, however. A Lys Mousset goal was disallowed before Mousset again missed a chance before Sergio Aguero fired City in front.
A trip to Anfield is essentially a free hit for the Blades. Liverpool are expected, as they are most weeks, to simply blow away their opponents. The Reds are unbeaten this season, with only one draw to their name since August.
Here’s our preview as Liverpool prepare to host Sheffield United.
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Team news
Sheffield United could once again be without midfielder, John Lundstram. The former Everton man will be desperate to play but having picked up a knock against Watford, he will be assessed.
Chris Wilder might also opt to rotate his forwards once again. Lys Mousset and Callum Robinson got the nod against City but David McGoldrick, Oli McBurnie, and Billy Sharp are all waiting in the wings.
Liverpool, meanwhile, will have to wait to give Takumi Minamino his debut. Premier League rules stipulate he cannot play until after the 5th January.
Manager Jurgen Klopp could again decide to rotate his squad. A busy December has left Klopp with some big decisions to make on who makes the first XI.
Form guide
The Blades have lost just once away from home all season. That loss coming at City yesterday. Wins away from Bramall Lane have come at Norwich, Brighton, and Everton.
In fact, aside from the loss at home to Newcastle, the Blades hadn’t lost at all in the PL in 13 outings. Coincidentally, their last loss before the Newcastle defeat was against Liverpool.
The Reds, on the other hand, are in electric form. They saw off Wolves yesterday to make it a win in every home game so far this season.
Only Manchester United have done enough to take a point from Jurgen Klopp’s side all season.
Last time out
The Blades were unlucky last time as a Dean Henderson mistake allowed the Reds to take all three points. The Man United loanee will, therefore, be desperate to make amends this time around.
Last time the clubs met at Anfield was back in February of 2007. Liverpool ran out 4-0 winners that day thanks to a brace from Robbie Fowler.
Our view and prediction
No other team has managed to stop Liverpool so it’s hard to say Sheffield United will do it. However, Wolves did cause the Reds trouble and if Klopp makes a handful of changes, the Blades might just fancy it.
However, the Reds will have too much over 90 minutes one would think and should comfortably take the three points once more.