In their recent match against Brighton & Hove Albion on Easter Sunday, Liverpool once again showcased their resilience by coming from behind to win 2-1. Danny Welbeck initially surprised Liverpool fans by putting Brighton ahead, but goals from Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah turned the game around.
Salah's goal was particularly remarkable, marking his 16th league goal of the season. With only nine games remaining, Liverpool currently leads the table, holding a two-point advantage over Arsenal and a three-point lead over Manchester City.
Despite Pep Guardiola considering Liverpool as the clear favorites, the title race remains tight. Liverpool could potentially lose their top spot if Arsenal or Manchester City win their upcoming matches against Luton Town and Aston Villa, respectively.
However, Liverpool's impressive form, having lost just one of their last 22 Premier League games and being unbeaten in their last 28 top-flight matches at Anfield, instills confidence in their ability to succeed.
On the other hand, Sheffield United, despite showing promise in their recent matches, are struggling to climb out of the relegation zone. Their draw against Fulham, where they let slip a two-goal lead in the dying minutes, was particularly disheartening for manager Chris Wilder. Nevertheless, Sheffield United has shown improvement in their away form recently, accumulating four points from their last three away fixtures.
Heading into the clash against Liverpool, Sheffield United knows they face an uphill battle, given their poor record at Anfield, where they've lost 10 of their last 12 away league meetings with Liverpool. However, they'll be looking to defy the odds and potentially upset Liverpool on their home turf.
INJURIES & SUSPENSION
Liverpool is still dealing with a string of injuries, with Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Diogo Jota, Joel Matip, Ben Doak, Thiago Alcantara, and Stefan Bajcetic all sidelined as they recover from various issues.However, there's hope on the horizon as left-back Andrew Robertson and midfielder Curtis Jones could potentially return from ankle and shin injuries, respectively, pending assessments before kickoff.
In terms of lineup changes, Ibrahima Konate might return to the center-back position, possibly replacing Jarell Quansah. Additionally, Ryan Gravenberch, Harvey Elliott, and Cody Gakpo are vying for a starting spot after coming on as substitutes in the last match. Gakpo might replace either Diaz or Darwin Nunez if Klopp decides to freshen up the attacking lineup.
On the Sheffield United side, they're also contending with numerous injuries, including Chris Basham, John Egan, Max Lowe, Rhys Norrington-Davies, Rhian Brewster, Tom Davies, Cameron Archer, George Baldock, and Daniel Jebbison. However, Vinicius Souza, who was substituted due to cramps in the previous game, is expected to be fit to play on Thursday.
In midfield, Souza will be competing for a starting spot with Gustavo Hamer, James McAtee, Oliver Norwood, Anis Ben Slimane, Andre Brooks, and Oliver Arblaster. Upfront, McBurnie and Brereton Diaz are likely to continue leading the attack, with Will Osula providing cover from the bench. In defense, Mason Holgate and Jack Robinson are set to join Anel Ahmedhodzic in central defense.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Liverpool possible starting lineup:Kelleher; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Gomez; Szoboszlai, Endo, Mac Allister; Salah, Gakpo, Diaz
Sheffield United possible starting lineup:
Grbic; Holgate, Ahmedhodzic, Robinson; Bogle, Souza, Norwood, Hamer, Osborn; Brereton Diaz, McBurnie
EXPERT PREDICTION
Liverpool 4-2 Sheffield
Sheffield United has shown improvement in their shooting abilities in their last two matches, and they'll be optimistic about their chances of scoring against Liverpool. Liverpool's defense has been struggling lately, managing just one clean sheet in their last eight Premier League games and conceding the first goal in 13 matches this season.
However, if Sheffield United manages to score early, it could awaken a powerful response from Liverpool, especially in front of their passionate Anfield crowd. We anticipate a dominant performance from Klopp's team, leading to a comfortable victory, and potentially maintaining their position at the top of the table heading into the weekend.
