Liverpool predicted line-up v Sheffield United: three big changes made as £75m trio miss out on selection

Liverpool will be confident they can boost their Premier League title challenge when they visit struggling Sheffield United on Wednesday night.

The Reds head into the visit to the top tier’s basement club on the back of a dramatic comeback against Fulham as late strikes from Wataru Endo and Trent Alexander-Arnold helped Jurgen Klopp’s men come out on the right end of a seven-goal thriller.

Results elsewhere over the weekend meant Liverpool will travel to Bramall Lane sat in second place in the table and could even end the week at the summit if they pick up three points and leaders Arsenal fall to a defeat at Luton Town on Tuesday - but what selection issues are facing Klopp as his side aim to extend their unbeaten run to an eighth Premier League game.

Goalkeeper

There is some uncertainty over when Alisson will return to action after he suffered a thigh injury last month. Reds boss Klopp had suggested the Brazil international could return to contention towards the middle of the month and that should mean Republic of Ireland international Caoimhin Kelleher will remain in place until at least the home game with Manchester United in a fortnight.

Defence

One definite absentee is centre-back Joel Matip as Klopp revealed the Cameroon international is not returning any time soon after picking up an injury in the win over Fulham. He said: “We have obviously no pictures yet, no scan, but after all what you hear and can see, it will not be a short one - unlucky. But we just have to get through this.”

Left-back Andrew Robertson is another confirmed absentee and he is not expected to return until the new year after undergoing surgery on a shoulder injury. That means Kostas Tsimikas will continue on the left-hand side of the back four.  Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez are also in contention for a start.

Midfield

There are plenty of midfield options available for Klopp and it is probably the position where he has a headache of the kind managers love. Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravanberch all started the win against previously goal-shy Fulham and Endo came off the bench to notch his first Premier League goal for the club with a stunning effort.

Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott were unused substitutes in the win over the Cottagers, meaning Klopp has plenty of options should he choose to rotate in the middle of the park at Bramall Lane.

Forwards

A forward trio of Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz ensured a somewhat fruitless afternoon against the Cottagers, despite their best efforts to find the net. Cody Gakpo could be handed an opportunity to stake a claim for a regular starting place.

Liverpool predicted XI

Kelleher, Alexander-Arnold, Tsimikas, Van Dijk, Konate, Szoboszlai, Endo, Mac Allister, Salah, Gakpo, Diaz.