Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate return – Liverpool predicted XI v Sheffield United
Jurgen Klopp is predicted to bring a pair of key men back from injury for his Liverpool starting XI against Sheffield United.
The Premier League’s bottom side visit Anfield on 4 April ahead of a vital second visit to Manchester United in the space of three weeks at the weekend, with the previous clash at Old Trafford the 4-3 FA Cup defeat on 17 March.
Klopp is tipped to restore Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konaté to the starting line-up to ensure they have sufficient match fitness ready for the United game.
Jarell Quansah might count himself unfortunate to drop out having been a solid presence next to Virgil van Dijk in the absence of his senior French teammate, but with margins so fine at the top of the table the exit-bound manager is likely to revert to his strongest available line-up increasingly down the stretch so Konate could come back in the middle.
Robertson is slated to be back from the injury he picked up playing for Scotland over the international break for the Sheffield United game, with Klopp having indicated on 29 March that the issue was “not as bad” and the situation was “fine” [Premier Injuries].
Joe Gomez or Conor Bradley out for Liverpool to let Andy Robertson back in?
That leaves the question of whether to drop Joe Gomez or shift him back across to right-back and remove Conor Bradley, but after the 2-1 victory over Brighton on 31 March it may be the former.
According to SofaScore stats Gomez won just four of his 10 ground duals against the Seagulls (40%) compared to Bradley’s 11 of 16 (67.75%), while Gomez committed three fouls from three tackles recorded, where Bradley didn’t give away any while making six tackles.
In addition, Bradley made three interceptions to Gomez’s one, and while the latter’s pass completion percentage was slightly higher (91% to 86%) he made only one key pass when Bradley produced four.
Those numbers suggest the youngster has earned the right to keep his place, so Robertson’s return should send Gomez to the bench.
Otherwise it will likely be unchanged with Alisson still not expected back yet to displace Caoimhin Kelleher in goal, with Robertson, Konate, Van Dijk and Bradley in front of him.
Wataru Endo is expected to continue behind Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister in midfield, while Darwin Nunez’s previous fitness concerns didn’t stop him starting against Brighton so he should keep his place between the two goal scorers Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz.
In other Liverpool news, Taylor Hinds’ return from injury was a silver lining to a heavy defeat to Manchester City.
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