Premier League team news and prediction: Liverpool vs Sheffield United
After a less-than-convincing 1-0 win away to Ajax in the Champions League in midweek, Liverpool turn back their attention to the Premier League in their first domestic game since last weekend's dramatic Merseyside derby.
In the build-up to this game we have all your need-to-know matchday information in one place, including details on how you can catch the game, team news and a scoreline prediction.
When is kick off?
Saturday 24th October, 20:00 GMT
Where is the match?
Anfield, Liverpool
Where can I watch it?
Sky Sports Box Office
The season so far
After a good start to the campaign, Liverpool have gone through a rollercoaster of emotions in recent weeks. A four-game winning run was interrupted by Carabao Cup exit to Arsenal before a 7-2 battering from Aston Villa before the international break. Liverpool then drew the Merseyside derby 2-2 to Everton but the match was overshadowed by news Virgil van Dijk's potential season-ending knee injury. They bounced back with victory over Ajax in midweek but are still coming to terms with Van Dijk's injury.
Sheffield United haven't enjoyed the best of starts to the season. They are second from bottom with four defeats and a draw from their opening five league matches. Chris Wilder's side have managed just two goals in that time and have failed to score in each of their last three visits to Anfield over the last 17 years.
Team News
Liverpool will make a late decision on Thiago, Joel Matip and Alisson for Saturday's game. All three are on the road to recovery but Jurgen Klopp may be cautious over their involvement having just lost star defender Virgil van Dijk to a serious injury. Fabinho showed in midweek that he can fill Van Dijk's boots when Matip is no 100 per cent fit and the Brazilian may continue alongside Joe Gomez at the back this weekend.
Chris Wilder will seriously consider handing Rhian Brewster a full Premier League debut for the club against his former side. The Blades signed Brewster from Liverpool and the youngster may feel he has a point to prove after Klopp sanctioned his departure over the summer. Goals have been a big problem for Sheffield United this season and they paid big money for Brewster. Elsewhere, John Fleck, Max Lowe, Jack O'Connell and Lys Mousset are all sidelined for the away side.
Probable XIs
Liverpool (433): Adrian; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Fabinho, Robertson; Keita, Henderson, Wijnaldum; Salah, Firmino, Mane
Sheffield United (352): Ramsdale; Basham, Ampadu, Egan; Baldock, Lundstram, Norwood, Berge, Stevens; McBurnie, Brewster
Key Battle: Roberto Firmino vs Rhian Brewster
One of the big reasons why Liverpool sanctioned Rhian Brewster's departure over the summer is because of Roberto Firmino. With limited game time and a need to offset some of their spending, Brewster was reluctantly sacrificed by the Premier League champions.
Firmino divides opinion among supporters. The fact he doesn't score many goals is a big criticism of the Brazilian, though Jurgen Klopp has staunchly defended his striker whenever that is brought up. Firmino's work with and without the ball is worth more to Klopp than his goal return.
Firmino failed to reach double figures in the Premier League last season and remarkably went until Liverpool's final home game of the season before scoring at Anfield. This season the forward is without a goal in five league appearances. Fortunately for Liverpool they have Sadio Mane and Mo Salah that score regularly.
Sheffield United don't have that luxury. They just don't score goals full stop and they will hope for a big return on Brewster having spent so much to bring him to Bramall Lane. Brewster did well on loan at Swansea last season, never going more than two games without a goal but at this level he remains an unknown quantity. It would be some story to open his account away to his former club.
Prediction: Liverpool 3-0 Sheffield United
