Liverpool head to Old Trafford tonight looking to keep their fading Champions League qualification hopes alive. United have already secured a top four place.
This re-arranged fixture has not worked out too well for Liverpool, who now have an injury crisis.
On top of long term absentees Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Joel Matip and Jordan Henderson, on loan centre-back Ozan Kabak has also been ruled out with an injury.
This leaves manager Jurgen Klopp looking at fielding a defensive duo of Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams.
Up against an in-form Edinson Cavani, who is likely to start this game after sitting on the bench for the last two league matches.
Cavani’s crack at Liverpool
This would be Cavani’s first start against Liverpool, after being on the bench for the previous meeting in the cup and the league game at Anfield. He hit the woodwork with a powerful header in the game at Old Trafford and was unlucky not to score.
While Liverpool have the option to use Fabinho at centre-back, Jurgen Klopp is more likely to deploy him in midfield.
Asked at his press conference whether he was confident using Williams and Phillips, Klopp said matter of factly: “Yes.”
Liverpool may get away with that against some teams, but the young duo could have their work cut out against Edinson Cavani, the form he is in.
In Cavani’s last eight games he has scored eight goals and provided three assists.
Paul Pogba, Marcus Rashford, and Bruno Fernandes are also likely to start this fixture.
Defensive problems have plagued Liverpool’s season, even before Van Dijk got injured. They conceded seven against Aston Villa with the Dutchman in the side.
United beat Liverpool 3-2 in the last meeting between the two teams in the FA Cup, with Bruno Fernandes scoring a late free-kick.
At the other end, United have a defensive problem to consider, with Harry Maguire unfit. Either Eric Bailly or Axel Tuanzebe will partner Victor Lindelof.
While Maguire will be a miss, it shouldn’t be anywhere near as striking as the problems Liverpool have to contend with. As well as the team is coached, Edinson Cavani could give the young duo a real runaround. It could be a 90 minutes to savour.
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