Follow live updates as Liverpool clash with rivals Manchester United despite heavy overnight snowfall on Merseyside
Three changes by Ruben Amorim from Monday’s defeat to Newcastle. Ugarte and Fernandes return as expected, while Mainoo also starts. Mazraoui and Dalot as the wing-backs once more. No Marcus Rashford in the squad either, of course.
That’s almost the same line-up that started for Manchester United on Boxing Day at Wolves, only with Leny Yoro replaced by Matthijs De Ligt, who was still recovering from a bout of illness that day.
A first-choice XI is definitely emerging. Now they need to start playing like it.
The Athletic primed and ready for a huge match from Anfield.
Here are how the two substitutes’ benches look ahead of kick-off:
Liverpool: Kelleher (GK); Endo, Chiesa, Jota, Quansah, Tsimikas, Elliott, Nunez, Bradley.
Man Utd: Bayindir (GK); Malacia, Yoro, Casemiro, Collyer, Antony, Eriksen, Zirkzee, Garnacho.
The eye-catching element here is no Dominik Szoboszlai for Liverpool, while Casemiro and Christian Eriksen will take their places back on the bench for Man Utd after starting against Newcastle.
What do you make of the two matchday squads and starting XIs? Let us know in either the Discuss tab for subscribers, or with an email: livebloguk@theathletic.com
As for the visitors, here is Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United XI, as they bid for an unlikely success at the Premier League leaders:
Onana; De Ligt, Maguire, Martinez; Mazraoui, Ugarte, Mainoo, Dalot; Amad, Fernandes (c); Hojlund.
That means Fernandes and Ugarte come straight back in following their one-game bans, Mainoo is in from the start and Joshua Zirkzee doesn’t make the starting line-up.
Cue the official teams from Anfield. Let’s start with the hosts. Here is Arne Slot’s Liverpool XI to take on fierce rivals Manchester United on Merseyside:
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk (c), Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Jones, Gakpo; Diaz.
So Konate returns from injury and Jones keeps his place despite Dominik Szoboszlai’s return from suspension.
Both benches are on the way shortly too.
We are just minutes away from the official team sheets being confirmed at Anfield.
Is there any impact on Trent Alexander-Arnold’s place in Arne Slot’s Liverpool XI?
And who will Ruben Amorim put his faith in this weekend for his faltering Manchester United?
We will bring you those sides — and analysis of them — as soon as we get them. Stay tuned.
Second half from Craven Cottage coming up...
The half-time break is nearly over in west London, with Fulham looking to come from behind to beat lowly Ipswich Town.
Marco Silva's side trail 1-0 after Sammie Szmodics gave the visitors the lead against the run of play.
Silva and Co were fuming that Leif Davis avoided a red card for hauling down Harry Wilson, who was bursting in on goal, though the referee argued there was adequate defensive cover.
Expect a fiery post-match presser from the Portuguese if Fulham don't go on to win... we'll be back into the action shortly at Craven Cottage.
Liverpool fans, fear not. There is also an Anfield edition of the DealSheet on offer to kick-off the new year — written by our correspondents, James Pearce and Andy Jones.
Potential incomings, any likely outgoings, and who will be calling the shots… It’s all in the link for you below.