Lammens has impressed since his arrival at Man United this term. — AP
LIVERPOOL’S test of strength and character begins with a fixture against Manchester United at Anfield tomorrow.
After three consecutive defeats prior to the international break, the Reds will be desperate to avoid a fourth – especially against the old enemy.
Arne Slot will be eager to see his side bounce back and hope that the clash with the Red Devils marks a turning point where things begin to click again.
At this stage, there’s little point in dwelling on league positions or chasing Arsenal for top spot.
Slot’s immediate priority is to improve performances, restore momentum and secure results.
Another defeat would deal a serious blow to team morale, particularly given the nature of the losses to Crystal Palace and Chelsea, both settled by late winners.
Victory over Man United would provide a needed confidence boost ahead of a daunting run of fixtures before the international break in November.
After Man United, Liverpool face Eintracht Frankfurt, Brentford, Palace, Aston Villa, Real Madrid and Man City.
Slot will also be hoping that the form shown by several of his internationals carries over into the club format.
Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo both scored for the Netherlands against Finland in World Cup qualifying. Alexis Mac Allister and Mohamed Salah netted twice each for Argentina and Egypt, while Dominik Szoboszlai registered an assist and a late equaliser for Hungary against Portugal, and Hugo Ekitike also provided an assist for France.
With Alisson Becker sidelined until November, Giorgi Mamardashvili is expected to retain his place in goal.
Joe Gomez could make his first league start of the season, replacing the injured Ibrahima Konate at centre-back.
Conor Bradley is likely to start at right-back, while Milos Kerkez, who has struggled for consistency, may be deployed on the left.
Ryan Gravenberch, a key figure in midfield, will undergo a fitness test after picking up a knock on international duty.
If unavailable, Curtis Jones, Mac Allister and Florian Wirtz are expected to form the midfield trio, with Salah, Ekitike and Gakpo leading the line.
Liverpool will be banking on their front three to deliver, especially Salah.
The Egyptian boasts an impressive record against Man United in the league, with 13 goals and six assists, and will be keen to add to that tally.
For Ruben Amorim’s Man United, it’s a daunting trip to Anfield, given their failure to win away from home this season.
However, a 2-0 win over Sunderland before the break may offer a sliver of confidence, despite their inconsistent form.
Amorim will be without Noussair Mazraoui, Lisandro Martinez and Ayden Heaven.
Summer signing Senne Lammens impressed on debut with an outstanding performance and clean sheet against Sunderland, and is expected to start again.
Matthijs de Ligt, Leny Yoro and Luke Shaw should retain their places in Amorim’s back three, with Diogo Dalot and Patrick Dorgu operating as wing-backs.
Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte are likely to anchor the midfield, while Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha support Benjamin Sesko in attack.
Sesko who joined from RB Leipzig in the summer, has found form with two goals in his last two league outings.
A north-west derby between two of England’s most decorated clubs is rarely predictable.
With pride on the line, it often brings out the best in both sides, just as it did in March 2023 when Liverpool thrashed Man United 7-0, despite being out of form, or last year when the Red Devils knocked Liverpool out of the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Given the current form of both teams, it’s impossible to call.
One certainty remains though: neither Slot nor Amorim will be keen on a draw.
