The Liverpool Offside - Premier League Coverage: Liverpool vs. Sheffield UnitedZeppeline, Trinken, & Pink Badeshortshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/51345/ltos-fav.png2020-01-02T23:27:34+00:00http://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/rss/stream/208106212020-01-02T23:27:34+00:002020-01-02T23:27:34+00:00Digging Deeper Into Liverpool’s Win over Sheffield United
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<img alt="Liverpool FC v Sheffield United - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/yd08llVe104G1Wzrqz2Q2MZGFYc=/0x0:4349x2899/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66014853/1191336256.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Daniel Chesterton/Offside/Offside via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>We take a look at how the Reds strolled to yet another Premier League victory.</p> <p id="ypyCR4">Comfortable. Tranquil. Routine. Not exactly adjectives normally associated with <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> home games against less illustrious opposition, not even in a year where the Reds can’t seem to stop winning, but this was all of those things. Jürgen Klopp’s men took charge of proceeding early and never even considered letting it go, coasting to a 19th win of the campaign.</p>
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<h2 id="TQVW68">Winners </h2>
<p id="eGFbnB"><strong>Captain Jordan Henderson: </strong>In the pantheon of players who have taken strides under Klopp, the European and World Champion captain perhaps ranks highest. Having made his name as a tidy utility player in his early years at the club, Henderson has established himself as a truly world class two-position player, excelling both as a box-to-box all-action midfielder, and a true holding player.</p>
<p id="ty6D5u">The 29-year old was at his commanding best tonight, covering every blade of grass while sweeping up behind his fellow midfielders, winning the ball and organising his team, finding the time to swing in a number of venomous crosses, creating four chances for his teammates.</p>
<p id="6ZjdaP"><strong>Fragile Liverpudlian Nerves:</strong> That was about as comfortable a win as we’ve seen, made all the more so by the fact that the Reds were in the lead almost from the opening whistle. A tremendously difficult stylistic opponent was made to look utterly ordinary, and apart from Oliver McBurnie’s back post chance in the dying minutes as Liverpool’s players had began to tune out, <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/sheffield-united">Sheffield United</a> weren’t given a sniff all night.</p>
<p id="WQDSHV">The Reds’ early points lead this season may have been built on eking out dramatic wins from marginal advantages, but their mid-season run has been nothing short of extraordinary. With five straight clean sheets and an aggregate goal difference of 17 - 2 from their last six matches — closely mirrored by an expected goal difference of 15.55 - 4.03 — the Merseysiders are in outstanding form, showing no signs to their title rivals that they will allow them to close the gap.</p>
<h2 id="dz5UpA">Losers </h2>
<p id="CksgYc"><strong>Naby Keïta:</strong> Besides the fact that the Reds are now missing a full half of their midfield corps to injuries, it is doubly devastating that it is Naby Keita who has once again been forced out of action. The Guinean had been rounding into spectacular form in recent weeks, coinciding with the Liverpool squad doing the same, and will now miss time with yet another groin injury, this one suffered during the warm-up to the match.</p>
<p id="ByKdzq">No word yet on the severity of the injury, but the recurring nature of the 24-year old’s groin troubles indicates that it’s an issue the club must look for a long-term fix to.</p>
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<h2 id="5i6Tzy">Fun With Numbers</h2>
<p id="8nqs1H"><strong>364: </strong>The number of days since the last time Liverpool lost a Premier League match. In the 37 games that have taken place in the competition since the 2-1 loss at the Etihad last January, the Reds have won 32 and drawn five, for a 101 points, or a 104 point pace over a 38-game season. </p>
<p id="TnmOYo"><strong>969:</strong> The number of attempted passes made by the Reds tonight. At a completion rate of 90.1%, that makes for 873 completed passes, the fourth highest recorded number since the Premier League began keeping records back in 2003, bettered only by <a href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com/">Manchester City</a>’s 902, 908, and 942, all recorded in the spring of 2018.</p>
<p id="XAPBsR"><strong>14:</strong> The number of assists Liverpool’s fullbacks have managed between them in the league this season. They ended last year on 23 assists combined, and are on pace to beat their own record in 2020.</p>
<p id="zHok9M"><strong>495:</strong> The number of minutes since the Reds last conceded a goal in the Premier League. The reintroduction of <span>Joe Gomez</span> to the side has reignited the Liverpool defense’s ability to keep clean sheets, and the partnership with Virgil van Dijk seems just as potent as last year. In the 15 games the two have paired up in the centre of defense since the start of last season, the Reds have kept 10 clean sheets.</p>
<p id="B6yLdg"><strong>85:</strong> The number of points the Reds have taken from the last 87 on offer. That’s a 111 point pace stretching back 29 games. Bonkers.</p>
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<h2 id="iNKCMb">What Happens Next</h2>
<p id="AD7rfa">It’s a Merseyside derby in the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/fa-cup">FA Cup</a>, as the Reds host <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a> at Anfield on Sunday, before Jürgen Klopp’s men can enjoy nearly a full week’s rest for the first time since late November, ahead of their trip to London and Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham next Saturday. The starting line-up on Sunday will show to what extent Klopp is going to take domestic cups seriously this year, having opted for fully rotated youth and fringe sides in the Carabao Cup.</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2020/1/2/21047288/digging-deeper-liverpool-win-2-0-sheffield-united-epl-2020-henderson-keita-clean-sheets-gomezAudun Manum2020-01-02T22:03:08+00:002020-01-02T22:03:08+00:00Liverpool 2, Sheffield United 0: Man of the Match
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<img alt="Liverpool FC v Sheffield United - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/A803eRgxDqEHUCwlEm_PcdnMk7I=/0x0:4509x3006/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66014008/1197169288.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Alex Livesey - Danehouse/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>After the Reds cruise to yet another win, we want you to rate your man of the match.</p> <p id="ClNeO7"><a href="https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/sheffield-united">Sheffield United</a> have been relishing their role of spoilers this season, beating <a href="https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/">Arsenal</a> and drawing with Tottenham, <a href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea</a> and <a href="https://thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/">Manchester United</a> this season, but they were largely relegated to the role of spectators at Anfield tonight, as the Reds waltzed their way to the most comfortable of three points.</p>
<p id="FgP6nK">With our favoured polling tool out of service, we’re instead giving you a choice between a few of the players we thought looked best today for the Reds, so make your choice below and vote for who you think should be the man of the match—or take to the comments to let us know that we got it wrong by leaving the real man of the match off the list entirely.</p>
<p id="etfFNw">As always, anyone visiting on Apple News or Google AMP who wish to vote and can’t see the poll can make it visible by navigating to the front page of The <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> Offside and re-entering the story.</p>
<div id="gG6kKn"><div data-anthem-component="poll:9029821"></div></div>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2020/1/2/21047197/liverpool-2-sheffield-united-0-epl-2020-vote-best-worst-performance-motm-mane-salah-van-dijk-hendoAudun Manum2020-01-02T21:50:31+00:002020-01-02T21:50:31+00:00Liverpool 2, Sheffield United 0 - Match Recap: Reds Finish Holiday Fixtures With Easy Win
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<img alt="Liverpool FC v Sheffield United - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/M38nX-xQhPdTCtJwwSoO2UD8HNM=/0x0:2969x1979/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66013920/1197178064.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Alex Livesey - Danehouse/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Liverpool cruise to an easy win, controlling the Blades from start to finish. </p> <hr class="p-entry-hr" id="50QIGj">
<h1 id="DbX7t9">
<a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> 2 - 0 <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/sheffield-united">Sheffield United</a>
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<h5 id="HmMdc7">Reds: Salah 4’, Mane 64’</h5>
<h5 id="yAk420">Blades: </h5>
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<h2 id="AouxfC">Pre-Match </h2>
<p id="Zs4KPw">Naby Keita was supposed to get the start, but was injured during pregame warm ups. So, great start. Regardless, Klopp runs out a strong line-up, including the best back five and best front three in the world. Hopefully they have enough in the tank to make it through one last Premier League holiday fixture. </p>
<h2 id="tCBaY3">First Half</h2>
<p id="bEJj0q"><strong>GOAL! </strong>Liverpool are gifted a golden opportunity when the Sheffield United defender slips while trying to track an Andy Robertson run into the final third. Robbo takes a touch, looks up in acres of space, and squares it to Salah to finish first time. 1-0 to the Scousers! </p>
<p id="em7nQ0">Salah apparently isn’t finished testing the keeper. The midfielder Henderson picks him out with a fantastic ball, and Mo hits a first time effort bound for the top corner. But the keeper Henderson is equal to the challenge, tipping it out for a corner. </p>
<p id="NWbCjr">Virgil van Dijk apparently got bored passing it around the back, and decided to just go on a rampaging run that ended with a 1-2 on the edge of the box. He clearly doesn’t want to hear any more hype about Sheffield United’s overlapping center backs. </p>
<p id="ssad1t">Half an hour gone and Liverpool are bossing proceedings all over the pitch. Salah has yet another shot tipped around the bar, and the home side look far more likely to get a second (or more) than the visitors look to get a first. </p>
<p id="8vtLaE">Liverpool end the half with a great deal of possession, but little to show for it. The Reds dominant in and out of possession, but another goal (or more) would be deserved and put a lot of minds at ease. </p>
<h2 id="9bwdX1">Second Half</h2>
<p id="bhMSxf">It’s another dominant, albeit frustrating opening fifteen minutes of the half. The closest Liverpool come to scoring is a long range effort from Firmino that fizzes just high and wide, and from a poorly timed nap from the Sheffield United keeper. On the latter instance, the Sheff United keeper thinks a cross is going wide, but it rattles off the inside of the post and nearly in. </p>
<p id="HyauVP">Regardless, the home side is in control, and <span>Jordan Henderson</span> seems to be everywhere on the pitch tonight. Impressive considering the amount of minutes he’s played in recent weeks. </p>
<p id="DtQeya"><strong>GOAL!! </strong>Alisson, Robbo, Mane, Salah, and Mane again combine on a quick counter to double their lead. Salah and Mane play a clever 1-2 in the box, forcing a great save from the keeper. However, Mane stays cool and collects the rebound, slamming it home from close range. </p>
<p id="VHgwPv">A moment later, Bobby should have made it three. Alexander-Arnold’s cross picks out the Brazilian in front of goal, but he’s well marked, and can’t force a shot on target. </p>
<p id="LH9TvL">With fifteen minutes to go, Jurgen Klopp makes his first sub, bringing on <span>Divock Origi</span> for Mane. The Senegalese forward was fantastic tonight, up to and including his goal. </p>
<p id="4dmkqG">As we approach the 90th minute Sheffield United create their biggest chance of the night when McBurnie is unmarked at the back post. But Alisson is up to the challenge, keeping that sheet clean. </p>
<p id="qd4imw">Klopp makes his final two subs, bringing <span>Adam Lallana</span> on for Andy Robertson, and Premier League debutante Harvey Elliott on for Mo Salah. Victory lap, this. </p>
<h2 id="AEJLwO">Final Thoughts</h2>
<p id="30SZxr">The Reds have gone a full calendar year without a league defeat. Enjoy these moment, y’all. Liverpool reestablish their 13 point cushion at the top of the table with a near-perfect performance to close out the holiday fixture list. </p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2020/1/2/21046950/liverpool-2-sheffield-united-0-match-recap-epl-2020-salah-maneZachary Marx2020-01-02T16:30:00+00:002020-01-02T16:30:00+00:00Liverpool vs. Sheffield United Live Updates: Lineups, TV Listings, Match Highlights, and How to Watch Online
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<img alt="Sheffield United v Liverpool FC - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/oMJqFsnKGQ9JGk7UNbpjognOnXY=/0x0:3338x2225/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66010789/1178134537.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Visionhaus</figcaption>
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<p>Lineups, television and streaming options, and live Premier League coverage as Liverpool face off against Sheffield United.</p> <hr class="p-entry-hr" id="csEg3U">
<h2 id="9hbmDh"><strong>LIVERPOOL VS SHEFFIELD UNITED</strong></h2>
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<strong>| Thursday, January 2nd |</strong><br><strong>Premier League | Anfield</strong><br><strong>8PM GMT/3PM EST</strong>
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<p id="KgEdK9">The Reds can once again extend their lead at the top of the table to 13 points with a win tonight. Standing in their way will be a determined Sheffield United, a side that will feel hard done by after the 1-0 loss at home a few months ago. </p>
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<h2 id="73Dsmx"><strong>PREVIEW & VIEWING OPTIONS</strong></h2>
<p id="gtvgN1"><strong>Full Preview: </strong><a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2020/1/1/21045419/liverpool-sheffield-united-epl-2020-preview-team-news-predicted-lineups-how-to-watch">Liverpool vs. Sheffield United</a></p>
<p id="KTQAAu"><strong>Television:</strong> BT Sport 1 (UK); NBCSN (USA); Optus Sport (Australia); <a href="https://prf.hn/click/camref:1100l4uLf/creativeref:1011l39034/adref:LO" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><strong>DAZN</strong></a>* (Canada); Star Sports Select 1 (India); Astro SuperSport 3 (Malaysia); SuperSport 3 (Nigeria); 102 mio Stadium (Singapore); SuperSport 3 (South Africa); other listings at <a href="http://www.livesoccertv.com/"><strong>LiveSoccerTV</strong></a></p>
<p id="2bkL9d"><strong>Online Streaming:</strong> <a href="https://fave.co/2zta1NX" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><strong>NBC via FuboTV</strong></a>* (USA) | <strong>Online Radio:</strong> <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.liverpoolfc.com%2Fvideo&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fliverpooloffside.sbnation.com%2F2020%2F1%2F2%2F21046426%2Fliverpool-sheffield-united-epl-2020-goal-highlights-teamsheets-tv-channels-online-streaming" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><strong>LFCTV GO</strong></a></p>
<h2 id="lI8OJw"><strong>LIVERPOOL</strong></h2>
<p id="SpVQwO"><strong>Starting XI</strong><em> </em>Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Wijnaldum, Keita; Mane, Firmino, Salah</p>
<p id="8AKopa"><strong>Bench</strong> Adrian, Milner, Lallana, Origi, Phillips, Jones, Elliott</p>
<h2 id="Rii1Ir"><strong>SHEFFIELD UNITED</strong></h2>
<p id="cUsiCj"><strong>Starting XI</strong><em> </em>Henderson; Basham, Egan, O’Connell; Baldock, Lundstram, Norwood, Fleck, Stevens; McGoldrick, Mousset</p>
<p id="pO5wH8"><strong>Bench</strong> Verrips, Jagielka, Osborn, Besic, Sharp, Robinson, McBurnie</p>
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<h2 id="sxGUDD"><strong>FIRST HALF HIGHLIGHTS</strong></h2>
<p id="Lo0fa0"><strong>Salah 4’: </strong><a href="https://streamvi.com/watch.php?video=1577995426">We’ll take it.</a></p>
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<h2 id="nYQGAW"><strong>SECOND HALF HIGHLIGHTS</strong></h2>
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<h2 id="i0PQYr"><strong>JOIN THE CONVERSATION</strong></h2>
<p id="btwLh9">If you haven’t already, sign up for an SB Nation account and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/account/setup?community_id=373"><strong>join the conversation on The Liverpool Offside,</strong></a> where we’ll have full coverage of every Liverpool match this season, breaking news, opinion, and tactical discussion.</p>
<p id="rezYJX"><small>*Liverpool Offside has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence editorial content, though Liverpool Offside may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links.</small></p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2020/1/2/21046426/liverpool-sheffield-united-epl-2020-goal-highlights-teamsheets-tv-channels-online-streamingZachary Marx2020-01-01T16:30:00+00:002020-01-01T16:30:00+00:00Preview: Liverpool vs. Sheffield Utd
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<img alt="Sheffield United v Liverpool - Premier League - Bramall Lane" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/slzsnLqcKBPQy8AZy_6fVDVWcW8=/153x0:4086x2622/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66004883/1171645245.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Richard Sellers/PA Images via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Reds kick off 2020 with a tricky visitor.</p> <hr class="p-entry-hr" id="qm9v04">
<h2 id="BqgYiQ">Liverpool vs Sheffield United</h2>
<h5 id="gH6SAI">| Thursday, January 2nd |<br>Premier League | Anfield<br>8PM BST / 3PM EST</h5>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="p59dVn">
<p id="GA7bQb">For only the third time in the Premier League era, <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> top the table at the start of the new year, and never before has the margin been quite as substantial as in 2020, with the Reds a full 13 points ahead of <a href="https://fosseposse.sbnation.com/">Leicester City</a> in second place, all with a game still in hand.</p>
<p id="7ZiIwk">2019 began with a loss at <a href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com/">Manchester City</a>, one that would eventually seal the title for the Citizens, and <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/sheffield-united">Sheffield United</a> come to Anfield tomorrow with the aim to spoil the Reds’ opening fixture of the new year. Chris Wilder has his side outperforming the wildest expectations of fans and pundits alike, and the Blades sit eighth in the table, a single point outside the Europa League qualifying spot.</p>
<p id="cErqxV">The Yorkies have managed this feat by maximising the talent on hand through a combination of tactical innovation and tenacity, and will have felt hard done by losing to the Reds in the reverse fixture back in September, missing a gilt-edged chance at the death after falling behind to a scuffed <span>Georginio Wijnaldum</span> effort that snuck under Dean Henderson’s body.</p>
<p id="3IcaOp">Coming off an undeserved loss to Man City at the weekend, the Blades sport a clean bill of health for tomorrow’s matchup, and the main question for Wilder will be whether he persists with the Irish striker David McGoldrick, who, having missed every single one of his eight big chances this season, remains goal-less and will be looking to end his run of bad fortune.</p>
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<h5 id="unXFb5"><strong>Projected Liverpool Lineup (4-3-3)</strong></h5>
<p id="Yyzs1U">Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, van Dijk, Robertson; Wijnaldum, Milner, Keïta; Mané, Firmino, Salah</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="9WLJu3">
<p id="j1QKmy">After playing 12 of the 15 matches from their busy end of year-schedule, the Reds have come through with flying colours, winning 10, drawing one, and losing one — the Carabao Cup quarter final against <a href="https://7500toholte.sbnation.com/">Aston Villa</a> — qualifying for the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/champions-league">Champions League</a> knockout stages and winning the Club <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/fifa-womens-world-cup">World Cup</a> along the way.</p>
<p id="NHOLtE">The squad has not survived unscathed, however, and while Joël Matip and <span>Dejan Lovren</span> reportedly “look good”, they are not yet ready to return, meaning <span>Joe Gomez</span> and Virgil van Dijk continue at the heart of defence. The pair have managed six clean sheets in six appearances together since the reintroduction of Gomez, though, and their presences should settle the potential nerves of anxious fans.</p>
<p id="UmZIr3">In midfield, <span>Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain</span> remains unavailable, as does Fabinho, while <span>Jordan Henderson</span> looked spent at the end of another punishing 90 minutes on Sunday, so a return to the starting XI for both <span>James Milner</span> and Naby Keïta could be on the cards.</p>
<p id="MT8c78">Takumi Minamino is not yet available to feature in the front line, having been registered with the club for less than 48 hours at kickoff tomorrow, and <span>Xherdan Shaqiri</span> will miss out with a hamstring problem, meaning <span>Divock Origi</span> is the only genuine frontline rotation option for Jürgen Klopp. Should the hero of last year’s European campaign not feature, however, Sadio Mané, <span>Roberto Firmino</span> and <span>Mohamed Salah</span> will do just fine.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="oXIJyC">
<h5 id="Ye0nud">What the Managers Said</h5>
<p id="C0sXGF"><strong>Jürgen Klopp:</strong> “[Sheffield United] are a really well-organised team. Have caused every team problems so far, including Manchester City last week, and will for us tomorrow as well. But we have some quality as well and that is what we will want to show.”</p>
<p id="ZVvoKE"><strong>Chris Wilder:</strong> “Going to Anfield, iconic stadium, fabulous experience, everything that Liverpool bring to the English game. They are the most powerful, historic of clubs in our game and going so well. But we’d like to put a little bump in their road, as we tried to do at Manchester City.”</p>
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<h5 id="789Puw">The Officials</h5>
<p id="KSNBKh"><strong>Referee:</strong> Paul Tierney<br><strong>Assistant referees:</strong> Daniel Cook, Harry Lennard<br><strong>Fourth official: </strong>Anthony Taylor<br><strong>VAR:</strong> Kevin Friend, Matthew Wilkes</p>
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<p id="b8UBoe">Kickoff is set for 8PM GMT/3PM EST tomorrow, and television listings for the match can be found on <a href="https://www.livesoccertv.com/match/3329071/liverpool-vs-sheffield-united/">LiveSoccerTV</a>.</p>
<p id="gMrAwU">In the meantime, and as always, we’ll be keeping you updated with all the buildup to the game, including team news as it’s released, our live matchday thread, and post-match recaps from The Liverpool Offside staff. If you want to join the discussion, sign up for an SB Nation account to have your say on the action as it happens.</p>
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https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2020/1/1/21045419/liverpool-sheffield-united-epl-2020-preview-team-news-predicted-lineups-how-to-watchAudun Manum