‘Absolute Beast’ Returns: Liverpool Predicted Lineup Vs Manchester United

Liverpool play fierce rivals Manchester United in a pre-season friendly during the early hours of August 4 (UK time). The match takes place from the Williams-Brice Stadium, in the United States of America. Here is our Liverpool predicted lineup.

Liverpool Predicted Lineup vs Manchester United in Pre-Season Test

How Liverpool Have Lined-up Recently

Liverpool played with an unorthodox 4-4-2 formation against Real Betis in their first pre-season friendly but reverted to Arne Slot’s preferred 4-2-3-1 against Arsenal in their second.

The defence remained unchanged from the Betis match. Caoimhin Kelleher started in goal, with Conor Bradley and Kostas Tsimikas the full-backs. Sepp van den Berg lined up next to Jarell Quansah.

Dominik Szoboszlai interestingly started next to Curtis Jones in the holding-midfield roles. Wataru Endo was the only player to be dropped for this match.

Fabio Carvalho and Mohamed Salah played on the wings with Harvey Elliott taking a central attacking role. Diogo Jota was the only change to the lineup, starting up front.

Liverpool’s Recent Form and Tactics

The standout performer from Liverpool’s 2-1 victory against Arsenal was easily Elliott. The 21-year-old has carried his 2023/24 form into pre-season; he provided assists for both goals with excellent passes, and should have had a third as Jota missed a chance in the 30th minute. Other impressive performances came from fellow youngsters Quansah and Carvalho.

Slot’s set-up with Szoboszlai and Jones as a double-pivot worked well, at least for the first 40 minutes. Arsenal found it incredibly difficult to break them down with the Merseyside outfit looking more dangerous in the first-half.

Liverpool also looked stronger in fitness and sharpness during a very high-tempo first hour of play. Whether this is the remaining effect of Jurgen Klopp’s legacy, or testament to Slot for maintaining the style of play is yet to be seen.

Fans should be very happy with the performance as their new manager has clearly implemented his own tactical changes whilst maintaining a high level of quality.

Liverpool Injuries and Absentees to Consider Ahead of Manchester United Clash

Since the Real Betis match, Jota, Ibrahima Konate, and Ryan Gravenberch have returned from their breaks after Euro 2024. We could see the French “absolute beast” and Gravenberch start against United.

However, Darwin Nunez, Alisson Becker, Alexis Mac Allister, and Luis Diaz have not returned since the Copa America. The same goes for Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joe Gomez, and Cody Gakpo who all played in the England vs Netherlands semi-final match in Germany.

Youngsters Bobby Clark and Jayden Danns also have not travelled due to injury. Andy Robertson appears to be struggling also.