Team news, stats and prediction ahead of Sheff Utd vs Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday (kick-off 7.15pm).
Team news
Jayden Bogle has joined Sheffield United's lengthy injury list ahead of their home game against Premier League champions Liverpool.
Bogle (shin) was injured by a tackle from Fulham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola last weekend and is one of six defenders now unavailable to Blades boss Chris Wilder.
Chris Basham (hamstring) is also out having been injured at Craven Cottage, while Jack Robinson (foot), Jack Rodwell, John Egan (toe) and Lys Mousset are still out. Jack O'Connell (knee) and Sander Berge (hamstring) remain long-term absentees.
Liverpool forward Diogo Jota could be in contention having returned to training this week after three months out with a knee injury.
Midfielders Fabinho and James Milner are due to rejoin the squad on Saturday but the game at Bramall Lane may come too soon for both, while captain Jordan Henderson is out for a month after a groin operation.
Manager Jurgen Klopp will make a late decision on the availability of goalkeeper Alisson Becker after the death of his father.
- Premier League table | Premier League top scorers
- Premier League fixtures | Premier League results
- Get Sky Sports | Get NOW TV day pass for £9.99 | Live football on Sky Sports
How to follow
Sheffield United vs Liverpool is live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event from 7pm; Kick-off 7.15pm. Sky Sports customers can watch in-game clips in the live match blog on the Sky Sports website and app. Highlights will also be published on the Sky Sports digital platforms and the Sky Sports Football YouTube channel shortly after the final whistle.
- Download the Sky Sports Scores App: Apple | Android
- The UK's No 1 scores app: Find out more
Jones Knows prediction
I've not lost faith in Liverpool yet. A string of injuries at centre-back - combined with individual drop-offs in form - has left Liverpool low on confidence. That can be fixed by Jurgen Klopp.
With Phil Jagielka set to start for the Blades, they will be defending deep in order to protect their goal. Liverpool will only need one goal against the league's worst attack.
This brings forward the prospect of Liverpool managing to get shots away from distance and prices around Trent Alexander-Arnold hitting the target have got my attention. The England man has yet to hit the heights of last season in a low-key year for him but confidence is slowly returning after a spell of classy performances down the right. He's had five shots in his last two games and likes nothing more than firing from range against a low-block, hitting the target from outside the box vs Tottenham, Burnley, Sheffield United and Everton twice this season. The 11/4 for another is too big.
JONES KNOWS PREDICTS: 0-2
BETTING ANGLE: Trent Alexander-Arnold to have a shot on target from outside the box (11/4 with Sky Bet)
Last time out...
Opta stats
- Sheffield United lost 1-0 to Liverpool at Bramall Lane last season, last losing consecutive home top-flight meetings with the Reds back in September 1921.
- Liverpool have won their last four Premier League games against Sheffield United, though those wins have been spread over the 2006-07, 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons.
- Sheffield United have lost their last seven Premier League matches against the reigning champions - their last win against the reigning top-flight champion was against Leeds in April 1993.
- Sheffield United have lost 20 of their 25 Premier League games this season (W3 D2) - it's the fewest amount of games a team has taken to reach 20 defeats in a single campaign in English top-flight history.
- Liverpool have lost six of their last nine Premier League games (W2 D1), as many as they had in their previous 100 in the competition (W75 D19). The Reds have lost four consecutive Premier League games, last losing five in a row in the top-flight in August/September 1953.
- Liverpool have conceded 34 goals in their 25 Premier League games this season, one more than they did in the whole of their 2019-20 title winning season.
- All four of Liverpool's Premier League away wins this season have been in London, with the Reds picking up just four points from their seven away games outside the capital (W0 D4 L3).
Pitch to Post Preview - Jamie Redknapp's Liverpool verdict. Plus: Chelsea v Man Utd build-up, and Tottenham's tricky Burnley test
On this week's Pitch to Post Preview Podcast, Jamie Redknapp joins Peter Smith to assess where Liverpool stand right now. The Sky Sports pundit explains why he thinks it would be a surprise if they make the top four and the reasons why he expects them to get back to their top level next season.
We also hear from Sky Sports football writer Jack Wilkinson, who assesses Chelsea's start under Thomas Tuchel, Man Utd's talk of the title, and gives his verdict on why the next couple of months could be key for the future of Jose Mourinho and Tottenham. Plus he shares his Pitch for the weekend!
Listen to the Sky Sports Pitch to Post Podcast on: Spotify | Apple | Castbox