How Manchester United and Liverpool could line up

1:22pm on Saturday 1st May 2021
By Emmet Gates

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will have more or less a full strength squad to chose from for the clash against Liverpool, whilst the away side continue to have injury problems.

Solskjaer's side are one step into the final of the Europa League after dismantling Roma 6-2 at Old Trafford on Thursday.

With a place in the final all-but secure, expect Solskjaer to name a strong team against Liverpool, as he can afford to rest several players in the second leg in Rome.

In fact, Solskjaer could name the same starting XI that featured in the win against Roma, with the team having picked up no new injury problems or knocks.

Dean Henderson is likely to retain his place in goal, and he will be supported by a four-man defence, consisting of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw.

Solskjaer is also likely to retain Fred and Scott McTominay at the heart of the United midfield, with both occupying the double pivot positions.

In the attacking positions, expect Solskjaer to again keep the same players that featured in the win against Roma.

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Mason Greenwood, Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba should all start, after all three scored in the rout against the Italians.

They will look to supply Edinson Cavani, who was also outstanding in the win on Thursday night.

Cavani scored twice, and there is speculation that he may stay in Manchester for another year.

Liverpool, meanwhile, still have injury problems in central defence.

Boss Jurgen Klopp is expected to name the same defence that started in the 1-1 draw against Newcastle last weekend. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ozan Kabak, Fabinho and Andy Robertson are all due to start.

In midfield, Thiago Alcantara and Georginio Wijnaldum will be joined by James Milner, as Klopp is expected to utilise a three-man midfield after experimenting with different systems in recent games.

Diogo Jota is expected to drop to the bench after a run of games without scoring. The tried and trusted trio of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane are all expected to lead the line for Liverpool.

Liverpool's only hope of making it into the Champions League next season is via the league, but currently The Reds are four points behind Chelsea for the last place.