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

After a breathless 4-3 victory over Fulham on Sunday, Liverpool will be hoping for a less stressful encounter when they return to Premier League action against Sheffield United on Wednesday.

The Reds left Anfield indebted to late goals from Wataru Endo and Trent Alexander-Arnold as they climbed up to second in the table with their victory over the Cottagers.

It was certainly a memorable afternoon for Jurgen Klopp and his players, but they will be aiming to control proceedings more comfortably at Bramall Lane.

The Reds' first midweek Premier League match of the season, Liverpool travel to bottom-placed Sheffield United on Wednesday as they look to keep pressure on table-toppers Arsenal.

Sheffield United were thrashed 5-0 by Burnley at the weekend and it seems highly unlikely that Paul Heckingbottom will still be in the dugout at the time of Liverpool's visit.

However, Klopp's side have struggled away from home against the Premier League's weakest sides, having already drawn against Luton Town at Kenilworth Road earlier this season. There is no room for complacency amid the busy festive period.

Here is everything you need to know ahead of Liverpool's trip to Sheffield United.

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DATE, KICK-OFF, STADIUM, REFEREE AND VAR

• Date: Wednesday, 6 December 2023

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

• Stadium: Bramall Lane

• Referee: Simon Hooper

• VAR: Michael Oliver

LIVERPOOL VS SHEFFIELD UNITED HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD

Wednesday's meeting will be the 141st encounter between Liverpool and Sheffield United, the first dating all the way back to 1894.

The first four meetings were all draws but since then the Reds have largely dominated past affairs. Liverpool have won 64, drawn 31 and lost 45 of 140 clashes.

Liverpool have only faced the Blades ten times in the Premier League, winning six, drawing two and losing two of those meetings.

The Reds are unbeaten in their last seven with Sheffield United, having not lost at Bramall Lane since a 2-1 defeat in the League Cup back in 2008.

Jurgen Klopp has won all four of his encounters with the Yorkshire club, scoring seven and conceding just one in the process. The Reds won the most recent clash 2-0 during the 2020/21 season thanks to an effort from Curtis Jones and a Kean Bryan own goal.

WHERE TO WATCH SHEFFIELD UNITED VS LIVERPOOL ON TV

Luckily for Liverpool supporters after the Fulham thriller wasn't broadcast on TV, the trip to Bramall Lane can be watched by audiences in the United Kingdom.

However, the game isn't on Sky Sports or TNT Sports, instead being shown, alongside all the other midweek Premier League games, on Amazon Prime.

As is the case for all English top-flight matches, Canadian viewers can tune in on fuboTV, while those in the United States can watch on Peacock.

Match commentary, highlights and full match replay will be available after the game on LFCTV.

LIVERPOOL TEAM NEWS

There was one casualty from Liverpool's victory over Fulham and that was centre-back Joel Matip. The defender was substituted after 68 minutes at Anfield, replaced by Ibrahima Konate.

Speaking after the Fulham game, Klopp said: "We don’t know how long yet [Matip will be out for], no scan yet. But it won’t be a short one."

Matip will certainly be missing for the game against Sheffield United, although he will hopefully return before the end of the year.

Otherwise it's as you were for Klopp, with Alisson, Diogo Jota, Thiago, Andy Robertson and Stefan Bajcetic sidelined.

Caoimhin Kelleher will continue in goal for the Reds and will be looking to put in a better performance than he did against Fulham, while Klopp could be tempted to rotate some outfield players given that Liverpool play again on Saturday lunchtime against Crystal Palace.

SHEFFIELD UNITED TEAM NEWS

Liverpool will be facing a Sheffield United side with a fair few injuries of their own and there will be no reunion with Rhian Brewster for the Reds. The striker is ruled out of Wednesday's game with a knee injury.

Tom Davies will also miss out on the chance to revive his rivalry with Liverpool, the former Everton midfielder out with a thigh injury.

Centre-backs Chris Basham and John Egan are out, while Rhys Norrington-Davies and Daniel Jebbison should also be absent.

Oliver McBurnie will miss the chance to duel with Virgil van Dijk after he was sent off in the Blades' 5-0 loss at Turf Moor on Saturday.

PREDICTED LINEUP

After lacking control against Fulham, Klopp could bring Cody Gakpo back into the starting linuep in place of Darwin Nunez. The Uruguayan struggled at the weekend, fluffing some big chances and failing to link play up consistently.

Joe Gomez could also come in for Kostas Tsimikas, while Matip will be replaced by Konate. In the midfield, Curtis Jones could feature instead of Ryan Gravenberch given the Dutchman has started Liverpool's last two matches.

Klopp may be tempted to chuck Endo in from the start against Sheffield United, but Mac Allister should retain his place after an impressive performance and goal against Fulham.

(4-3-3): Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Gomez, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Jones; Salah, Gakpo, Diaz.

PREDICTION

After Sunday's rollercoaster ride, who knows what Liverpool will turn up here?

Hopefully, the Reds will put in a more measured and well-rounded showing, but Klopp's men have frequently struggled in recent years away from home at the Premier League's weaker sides.

Sheffield United could be about to receive the dreaded 'new manager bounce' ahead of Liverpool's visit, but the Blades are firmly bottom of the table for a reason.

It should be a comfortable win for the Reds and these are the kinds of games you need to win, and win well, if you're going to challenge for a league title.

Sheffield United 0-2 Liverpool