So we prepare for the 2nd Premier League clash this season between Manchester United and Liverpool – arguably the biggest fixture in the Premier League. As we know the two clubs played out a very cagey 1-1 tie at Anfield on a cold night back on October 17th. This time around United are a completely different team which has now found its identity and Jose Mourinho has worked out how to best use his massive squad whilst also using his few key additions.
After beating Marco Silva’s organized Hull City side in the first leg of their semi-final 2-0 during the week United are now on a 9 game winning streak and they will not want to end that streak against arch-rivals Liverpool.
Ahead of the game which we previewed fully along with a match prediction : we have taken a look at some of the issues affecting team selection for both clubs.
For Manchester United and Jose Mourinho the injuries are as follows:
– Zlatan Ibrahimovic is the biggest worry having spent last weekend’s FA Cup tie with Reading sitting on the bench as a substitute but not coming on as he was not needed. Then Zlatan could not even make the bench to face Hull City in the week due to a flu-like illness.
– Marcos Rojo has been a big miss as before his injury he had established himself along with Phil Jones as the number 1 central defensive partnership for United. Very frustratingly for both club and perhaps even more-so the player, the Argentinian defender was forced to be withdrawn from the FA Cup vs Reading on the weekend when he suffered a nasty leg-injury which he sustained after only 18 minutes. Rojo had received a yellow card
– James Wilson the young striker is clearly still very much on the sidelines as he is still recovering from his anterior cruciate ligament to his knee and his return is not expected this season and perhaps not until pre-season next year.
For Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp the injuries are as follows:
– Club Captain Jordan Henderson has been a big miss since getting injured against Manchester City on New Year’s Eve when he had to leave the game due to a heel injury in the middle of the second half. The Captain’s absence has been a big weakness and it will be a big bonus for his return ahead of schedule to face Manchester United.
– Joel Matip was injured back on December 11th 2016 and is fit to return but the defender needs training sessions before he can play so he is unlikely to see action against United.
– Marko Grujić was injured at the very beginning of December 2016 with a tendon problem but the midfielder is not expected to be selected to see action against United despite him returning to training already.
– Adam Bogdan is recovering from his anterior cruciate ligament and is not expected to return very soon with a projected date unavailable yet for the goal-keeper but it will not happen this year.
– Danny Ings is incredibly unlucky and just a couple of games after the forward returned from a long injury lay-off he sustained an anterior cruciate ligament playing and is now sidelined indefinitely yet again.
Some good news for Liverpool is that their key creative genius Phillipe Coutinho is back and will be fit to face United something which United will be keenly aware of.
Suspensions
Both sides are relatively unscathed compared to some clubs at the moment. Both Liverpool and United will be without key players for Monday’s clash as Senegal’s Sadio Mané who has been pivotal to Liverpool’s success this campaign is away at the Africa Cup Of Nations. For United Eric Bailly was becoming a real hit with the faithful at Old Trafford as well as providing a commanding presence at the centre of the United defense leading to much better defense and more confidence throughout the side. Bailly too is away at the Africa Cup of Nations with the Ivory Coast and could be gone for a month if his country reaches the final. The same can be said for Mané who might miss a month if his country reaches the final.
Even with the injuries and suspensions it promises to be a cracker of game – enjoy!!