If It Ain’t Broke dept. It’s an unchanged side for Sheffield United, Chris Wilder naming the same XI that did for Everton last weekend. And it’s an unchanged side for Liverpool, too. It’s the same XI sent out at Stamford Bridge last Sunday. We’ve ignored the midweek League Cup line-ups, but y’know.
The teams
Sheffield United: Henderson, Basham, Egan, O’Connell, Baldock, Lundstram, Norwood, Fleck, Stevens, McBurnie, Robinson.
Subs: Luke Freeman, Jagielka, Mousset, Osborn, Clarke, Moore, Besic.
Liverpool: Adrian, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, van Dijk, Robertson, Henderson, Fabinho, Wijnaldum, Salah, Firmino, Mane.
Subs: Lovren, Milner, Gomez, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Lallana, Origi, Kelleher.
Referee: Anthony Taylor (Cheshire).
Preamble
Sheffield United’s best work so far this season has been on the road. A commendable opening-day draw at Bournemouth; a magnificent two-goal comeback at Chelsea to salvage a draw; a win at Everton achieved easily, despite (according to their manager) not even playing that well. By contrast, the Blades have lost their last two league matches at Bramall Lane. This afternoon presents a fine chance to snap that run.
Against the 100 percent league leaders and reigning champions of Europe? OK, if you put it like that, it’s going to be a heck of a test for Chris Wilder’s newly promoted side. But history has to count for something, and Liverpool haven’t won at Bramall Lane since the opening day of the 1990-91 season, when second-half goals from John Barnes, Ray Houghton and Ian Rush secured a 3-1 victory. (For the completist: Brian Deane scored for Dave Bassett’s side.) It’s a six-game undefeated run for United, who have a 50 percent win rate over the stretch.
History only counts for so much, of course. And the current Liverpool have been clinical on their travels in the league, seeing off Southampton, Burnley and Chelsea without too much trouble. They’ll be desperate to make it seven wins from seven and move eight points clear of champions Manchester City, at least for a couple of hours. But then the hosts will be desperate themselves. Not necessarily for points in a match that qualifies as a free hit – they’re comfortable in mid-table right now – but for a statement result that would send a few reverberations up and down the Premier League table. All set up nicely, then. It’s on!
Kick off: 12.30pm BST.
Updated