Liverpool vs. Man Utd predicted line-ups: nine changes for Reds as £50m man returns for injury ravaged United

Liverpool and Manchester United are set to go head-to-head on Sunday afternoon, in what should be an enthralling encounter at Anfield. The Reds will be brimming with confidence ahead of facing their rivals, having gone nine Premier League games in a row without defeat. Conversely, their opponents are in a troubling, inconsistent run of form that has seen them struggle to string wins together, and continually dropping points against sides they were hopeful of challenging for a top four finish this season.

Both sides fell to defeat in midweek, but United's loss will have been the more demoralising - Erik ten Hag's side crashed out of Europe completely, after losing 1-0 at home to Bayern Munich ensured they finished bottom of their Champions League group, thus failing to secure the third place required to drop into the Europe League. Conversely, Liverpool had already topped their Europa League group with a game to spare ahead of their defeat away to Union Saint-Gilloise, meaning the 2-1 loss in which they fielded a largely weakened side was of little consequence.

Ahead of Sunday's clash, we've got the latest team news, injury updates and predicted XIs for both sides:

Liverpool team news and predicted XI

Reds manager Jurgen Klopp will be pleased to welcome number one Alisson back to the side, after his recovery from a hamstring injury. In defence, Liverpool are still without star man Andy Robertson who won't come back into the team until well into January because of a shoulder problem, while Joel Matip could to miss the rest of the season with an ACL injury.

Liverpool will also be without a number of midfielders this weekend: Diogo Jota's return date is still unknown as he continues to recover from muscle issue, while summer signing Alexis Mac Allister is not expected to feature until next weekend, after suffering a brutal knee injury against Sheffield United. Stefan Bajcetic is still out with a calf problem, while Thiago will most likely have to wait until the new year to feature again for the Reds, as he battles to overcome hip damage.

Predicted XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Konate, Tsimikas; Szboszlai, Gravenberch, Endo; Diaz, Nunez, Salah.

Manchester United team news and predicted XI

Erik ten Hag will be sweating over the fitness of a number of key players ahead Sunday. In goal, at least, he knows that Andre Onana will be fit to face the Reds. Defence is the real area of concern, however: The resurgent Harry Maguire looks set to miss out after suffering a groin injury in his side's midweek loss to Bayern Munich; Victor Lindelof could also miss out with a knock and neither Lisandro Martinez nor Tyrell Malacia will feature for their side until the new year, due to foot and knee injuries respectively. Luke Shaw, however, has been declare fit to play.

In midfield, United will have to make the trip to Merseyside without their skipper Bruno Fernandes, who misses the game through suspension. Marcus Rashford is a doubt due to illness but could well recover in time, while Mason Mount (calf) and Christian Eriksen (knee) will not be fit to play. Casemiro isn't expected to return from a knee injury until the middle of January, while Jadon Sancho remains in the wilderness, following his public bust-up with the manager. Up top, Anthony Martial is a doubt due to illness.

Manchester United predicted XI: Onana; Shaw, Evans, Varane, Dalot; Amrabat, McTominay, Mainoo; Antony, Rashford, Hojland.