Bet you it will be Henderson. We lose something in midfield, though, but if everybody pulls their weight, we should be fine. We must stop giving then opportunities to dive around our box, though. Last time we gave away, it was from an utterly brainless challenge. They will get a decision if commit similarly thick tackles, make no mistake.
I hope he does, but I would be fine with Thiago, Wijnaldum and Jones *(assuming that Keita is still crocked) if Jurgen feels Hendo should play defence.
The last time Manchester United visited Anfield: "And now you're gonna believe us..." 🎶The last time Liverpool played United at Anfield, this rang round the ground...pic.twitter.com/wOa3aSZCjq— The Anfield Wrap (@TheAnfieldWrap) January 15, 2021
Jurgen Klopp has suggested that Jordan Henderson will not be dropped to defence to cover for the potential absence of Joel Matip against Manchester United on Sunday, further hinting at the need for defensive reinforcements. “We have to see, we have to decide then, we have to look at him [Matip], how he’ll train and how he looks in training, these kind of things. But we still have different solutions,” the former Dortmund coach said. “Hendo is, for us, very important in midfield as well so, we just have to see. But it’s not decided yet, why should I?”
Does that hint that Henderson doesn’t play in defense? If Matip doesn’t play, I think that is still a very real possibility.
I’d rather have either Curtis Jones or Shaqiri take Henderson’s place in midfield than have Nat Phillips or Rhys Williams playing in this game. Joel Matip being passed fit would be so huge.
Klopp, quoted in the beeb (about Man U’s penalty count.) “ Am I surprised someone's talking about what I have said? No," said Klopp. "Am I surprised that Mark Clattenburg speaks about it? No. But it's nice for him we can talk about him as well. "But I am not Sir Alex for different reasons. When people like Mark Clattenburg speak now it always says much more about them than it could ever about me.”
Thiago is the man .... https://www.theguardian.com/footbal...-key-contribution-liverpool-manchester-united For an indication of how important Thiago Alcântara was to Bayern Munich, it is worth going back to the team’s last training session before last season’s Champions League final. On a warm Saturday evening at the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon, and just before the session started, Hansi Flick could be seen speaking with Thiago for a solid two minutes. The conversation appeared to be about passing strategies and made for compelling viewing given its intensity, seen most strikingly in the moment the head coach shoulder-checked the midfielder. It was also unique – no other Bayern player, at that most crucial of stages, received the same attention. Faith, trust, reliance – it was all there, and Thiago did not let Flick down. He was superb against Paris Saint-Germain the following day, delivering the most passes of any player on either side (85), not to mention the highest number of successful passes (88%), the highest number of accurate long balls (10) and the joint-highest number of chances created (two). He was arguably Bayern’s best player in inarguably their biggest game of the season and then, with victory and the treble secured, he was gone. ............................... An approach built around high-quality, high-tempo and intelligent passing is required and there is no better man to lead that charge than Thiago. ................................ [vs Chelsea] His passing was not only often and accurate but wonderfully varied, weighted and timed. Some of his deliveries had more disguise than a cold war spy
Jürgen Klopp believes Liverpool’s players have shown renewed focus for Sunday’s top-of-the-table showdown with Manchester United after a team meeting in the wake of last week’s defeat at Southampton. https://www.theguardian.com/footbal...-clears-air-before-manchester-united-showdown
Since the summer resumption last June United have played seven matches against the stronger Premier League teams plus two against Paris Saint-Germain, a nine-game run that has brought five defeats, three draws and one win. In those games Fernandes has scored five goals, all penalties. More recently he has been notably ineffective against PSG, Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham.
The training video on the official site from Friday looked very good, with players really getting.after it. I think we'll be extra sharp.
Xherdan Shaqiri starts for Liverpool in this afternoon's Premier League clash with Manchester United at Anfield. The Swiss international is named in midfield alongside Thiago Alcantara and Georginio Wijnaldum as just one change is made from the Reds’ last top-flight outing at Southampton on January 4. Joel Matip misses out as he works his way back to full fitness, so Jordan Henderson begins in defence. Liverpool: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Henderson, Fabinho, Robertson, Wijnaldum, Thiago, Shaqiri, Mane, Salah, Firmino. Subs: Kelleher, Milner, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jones, Minamino, Origi, R. Williams, Phillips, N. Williams.