Liverpool vs Sheffield United preview: team news, lineups, TV, kick-off time, referee & VAR

Liverpool made the perfect start to a huge week in their season on Sunday, beating Brighton 2-1 at Anfield courtesy of goals from Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah. 

The Reds moved back to the top of the Premier League table with victory over the Seagulls, with a trip to rivals Manchester United to come next Sunday.

However, Jurgen Klopp's side are in action again this Thursday when they welcome bottom of the table Sheffield United to Anfield in another must-win encounter.

Liverpool won the reverse fixture 2-0 at Bramall Lane back in December thanks to goals from Virgil van Dijk and Dominik Szoboszlai, and any slip-up against the Blades would be a complete disaster.

Here is Anfield Watch's guide to Liverpool vs Sheffield United in the Premier League this midweek.

DATE, KICK-OFF, STADIUM, REFEREE & VAR

• Date: Thursday 4 April 2024

• Kick-off time: 19:30 GMT / 14:30 ET / 11:30 PT

• Stadium: Anfield

• Referee: Stuart Attwell

• VAR: Chris Kavanagh

LIVERPOOL VS SHEFFIELD UNITED HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD

Liverpool and Sheffield United may not have the most extensive history in the 21st century, but meetings between the two sides have been regular since their first clash since 1894.

There have been 141 encounters in the past and Liverpool enjoy the better record in previous fixtures, with 65 wins, 31 draws and 45 defeats to their name.

However, recent history has been incredibly one-sided. Sheffield United haven't won against the Reds since 2003, losing the last six meetings.

However, even during the Jurgen Klopp era, Sheffield United have normally given a decent account of themselves, with the German having never overseen a margin of victory of over two goals.

The past meeting this season finished 2-0, with the Blades' most recent trip to Anfield finishing 2-1 in October 2020.

HOW TO WATCH LIVERPOOL VS SHEFFIELD UNITED ON TV

With every game taking on even greater significance as the season draws to a close, Liverpool fans in the United Kingdom will be relieved to see that this match is available on TV, with TNT Sports and discovery+ broadcasting Thursday's evening kick-off.

FuboTV are showing the match in Canada, Optus Sport are the broadcasters in Australia and Peacock have the rights in the United States.

Those in South America can tune in on Star+ as usual, while there is a wide array of European broadcasters, including Viaplay and DAZN.

North Africa and much of Asia will be able to watch on beIN Sports, while SuperSport will show the game in large parts of the rest of Africa.

LIVERPOOL TEAM NEWS

Liverpool still have a number of injury concerns heading into Thursday's clash, although Klopp has suggested that Curtis Jones is in line to feature in the squad for the first time since mid-February.

Ibrahima Konate wasn't quite fit enough for the starting lineup on Sunday but did make the bench, meaning he could be promoted against the Blades. Andy Robertson missed out against Brighton but could be available in some capacity at Anfield.

Longer term injuries to Trent Alexander-Arnold, Diogo Jota and Alisson haven't cleared up just yet, with all three unavailable for Thursday.

Stefan Bajcetic is edging closer to a return but is still some way off donning a red jersey, while Joel Matip and Thiago Alcantara are likely out for the rest of the season.

SHEFFIELD UNITED TEAM NEWS

Chris Wilder's side is also heavily depleted at present, with a whole host of injuries not making Sheffield United's life any easier heading into the final six weeks of the campaign.

At the back, Rhys Norrington-Davies, Chris Basham, Max Lowe, John Egan and George Baldock are all sidelined, while former Everton midfield Tom Davies could miss out on a return to Merseyside with a knock.

Rhian Brewster won't get an opportunity to come back to Anfield due to a hamstring problem, while Cameron Archer is a major doubt for the clash. Daniel Jebbison remains out of action.

LIVERPOOL PREDICTED LINEUP VS SHEFFIELD UNITED

Klopp may have one eye on the clash with Man Utd next weekend, but he still shouldn't make too many alterations from the side that beat Brighton on Sunday.

The midfield and forward line pretty much pick themselves at present barring any new injury concerns, with Ibrahima Konate perhaps the only change should he come into replace Jarell Quansah.

Joe Gomez will likely retain his spot at left-back given Robertson's injury, while Conor Bradley may get the nod on the other side of the defence.

(4-3-3): Kelleher; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Gomez; Szoboszlai, Endo, Mac Allister; Salah, Nunez, Diaz.

LIVERPOOL VS SHEFFIELD UNITED SCORE PREDICTION

On paper, this should be Liverpool's most straightforward fixture from now until the end of the season.

The Reds are still unbeaten at home this term and the Blades have picked up just six points on the road this season, even if they have managed draws in their last two matches.

Regardless of how the Blades play on Thursday, Liverpool should get the job done with little fuss, especially if they can play with the same energy and creativity that they showed at the weekend.

Liverpool 3-0 Sheffield United