Liverpool handed major injury boost as star set to return for Man Utd clash

Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita will be included in the Manchester United squad after picking up an injury in the 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace.

The Guinean international was substituted at half-time against Crystal Palace on Saturday and missed Wednesday’s 2-0 win over Wolves.

Journalist Ian Doyle confirmed that Keita was absent from that game with a stroke, leaving his participation against United in doubt.

The midfielder picked up an injury this season and missed three months of action between August and November. Since his return, however, he has been a regular part of Klopp’s team. Ahead of the United clash, Klopp confirmed that all Reds players, with the exception of the injured trio of Thiago, Luis Diaz and Joe Gomez, were “fine” following their latest training session – which appears to give Keita the green light to go back.

Klopp records injuries

The German explained (via talkSPORT): “Everyone was fine last night except the players who are out – Thiago and Luis Diaz.

Keita’s return will be a boost for the Reds as United play their third game in seven days.

However, Liverpool fans are hoping a date will be given for Thiago’s return, with the Spaniard a key player in Klopp’s system.

Diaz, meanwhile, is expected to return to action after the international break, adding more firepower to the Reds squad as they push for a Champions League qualifying place. They are currently six points behind fourth-placed Tottenham but have a game in hand alongside Antonio Conte. Both teams are still in the Champions League this season and will look to reverse deficits against AC Milan and Real Madrid in the second legs of their last 16 matches later this month.

Also…

Liverpool v Man Utd: Five stats to tell your friends before Sunday’s Anfield clash live on Sky Sports

Jurgen Klopp’s side host Erik ten Hag’s Carabao Cup winners in the Premier League; the hosts look to close the gap in the top four as the visitors chase glory on four fronts; watch Liverpool v Man Utd live on Sky Sports Premier League from 4pm on Sunday; starting at 4.30pm

Impress your friends with these stats and facts before Liverpool vs Man Utd at Anfield on Sunday…

The last Man Utd player to score at Anfield was… Jesse Lingard

Man Utd may be on course for goal at the moment but have scored just once in their last seven visits to Anfield in all competitions.

That one goal was over four years ago and came from a rare mistake by Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson.

In December 2018, the Brazilian spilled a Romelu Lukaku cross into the path of Jesse Lingard, allowing the Man Utd man to score an equalizer for Sadio Mane opener.

However, a late brace from substitute Xherdan Shaqiri meant Liverpool and Alisson would celebrate that night – and United have since failed to score at their rivals in three tries. The Subs have scored 20 goals for Man Utd this season – more than any other team in Europe

Fred followed a well-known trend of Man Utd players this season by coming off the bench to score the crucial goal against West Ham in the FA Cup on Wednesday night.

It was the 20th goal scored by a substitute for Man Utd in all competitions this season, more than for any other European major league side.

Strength in depth? Ten Hag’s tactical tips? Whatever the reason, Liverpool will have to be wary of United substitutes until the final whistle on Sunday. Marcus Rashford has equaled a record achieved only by the Man Utd Premier League greats

Marcus Rashford is the Premier League’s in-form striker since the World Cup recovery. He is perhaps the best striker in Europe.

With 10 goals in his last 10 Premier League appearances, he is confident. It’s a transformation from the player who scored just five times in all competitions last season.

And such is the form of him that Rashford is on the brink of equaling Man Utd’s impressive goalscoring record this weekend. If he does find the net against Liverpool, Rashford will join Ruud van Nistelrooy, Eric Cantona and Cristiano Ronaldo to become just the fourth Man Utd player to score in six successive Premier League appearances.

And as a bonus stat, Van Nistelrooy did it three times!

Salah is looking for his record six in a row

Like Rashford, Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah is targeting his record six-game winning streak on Sunday.

The Egyptian is the top scorer in this competition, with 10 goals in just 11 appearances. In fact, nine of those goals have come in his last five games against United!

With a goal in each of these appearances, Salah would become the first player to score in six consecutive editions of the game when he converts at Anfield.

He also needs just one goal to equal Robbie Fowler’s club record of 128 Premier League goals for Liverpool. Man Utd have the third-best away record this season… but have beaten just one team above 14th

On the face of it, Man Utd’s comeback is impressive with 20 points from 12 Premier League away games. Only Arsenal (31) and Man City (24) have collected more away points.

But if you dive into the details, you’ll see that five of Man Utd’s six away wins have come against teams 14th or lower in the Premier League table.

The exception was their victory at seventh-placed Fulham in November – and even then they needed a very late goal from Alejandro Garnacho to take all three points.

So let’s hope for those Liverpool fans who have seen their side lose just one of their last 35 Premier League games at Anfield…