Joel Matip's groin issue to be assessed; Naby Keita to miss out again; Man Utd players given chance to prove fitness, including Anthony Martial; follow Liverpool vs Man Utd on Sky Sports Premier League and Main Event from 4pm on Sunday; kick-off 4.30pm
Saturday 16 January 2021 14:11, UK
Team news and stats ahead of Liverpool vs Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday; kick-off 4.30pm.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp will assess Joel Matip in training before deciding whether to start him against Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday.
The centre-back has missed three matches with a groin problem but is back with the squad. If he is not ready, Klopp will have to choose between youngster Rhys Williams or Nat Phillips.
Midfielder Naby Keita remains sidelined with a muscle problem which has kept him out since December 19.
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will give players the chance to prove their fitness before the trip to Anfield.
Anthony Martial picked up an apparent hamstring complaint in Tuesday's 1-0 win against Burnley and is among those that will be given Saturday's training session to get themselves match ready.
Solskjaer confirmed the only definite injury absentees would be defenders Brandon Williams and Phil Jones.
Liverpool vs Man Utd will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Premier League and Main Event from 4pm on Sunday; kick-off at 4.30pm. Sky Sports customers can watch in-game clips in the live match blog on the Sky Sports website and app. Free highlights will also be published on the Sky Sports digital platforms and the Sky Sports Football YouTube channel shortly after the final whistle.
Big match alert.
In situations like this, trying to not get carried away with the pre-match hullabaloo when it comes to finding intelligent betting angles is key. This one has the hallmarks of being a cagey affair.
Liverpool have the best Premier League home record this season - and are unbeaten in their last 67 league matches at Anfield - while Man Utd have the best away record in the division. So, what happens when an immovable object meets a force of nature? Stalemate, that's what.
Surely "don't lose" will be the message rather than going all out to win it for both teams, especially in the Manchester United dressing room. A draw will be a huge result for them. If the game gets to 60-65 minutes and is all square, we could see a repeat of what happened in Man City vs Liverpool, where both were happy with a point. I will be backing the draw.
There is value to be had elsewhere though. One area of football betting I have found to be quite profitable in recent years is the cards markets. The stats will tell you that Scott McTominay has yet to be booked this season but he's made 22 fouls, averaging over 2.2 fouls per 90 minutes. Unsurprisingly, he has made the most fouls without being booked of any current Premier League player this season. If you stretch it back to last season he has now on a run of 31 fouls without a card since being booked after 24 seconds on Boxing Day in 2019 vs Newcastle - which is the quickest booking since Opta started collating data in 2006.
No doubt he will be tasked with breaking up Liverpool's play in midfield this weekend in what is likely to be a niggly encounter. Liverpool always pack plenty of physicality and punch in their midfield and 12 opposition central midfielders have been booked vs Liverpool in their last 14 Premier League games. At 12/1 McTominay is worth an interest to get carded first, or those that can handle backing short prices in this market should look at the 23/10 for him to be carded anytime.
JONES KNOWS PREDICTS: 1-1 (6/1 with Sky Bet)
ALSO LOOK OUT FOR: Scott McTominay to pick up the first card (12/1 with Sky Bet)
In a special Pitch to Post Preview Podcast we look ahead to Sunday's blockbuster between Liverpool and Man Utd at Anfield.
Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness joins Peter Smith to discuss the big match, including why the hosts will be wary of their rivals and which players must stand up and deliver for their side.
We also get the latest team news and possible starting XIs from Sky Sports News reporters James Cooper and Vinny O'Connor, while football writer Lewis Jones - AKA Jones Knows - makes his Pitch for what will happen in the game.
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