Premier League leaders Liverpool host Sheffield United in their first clash of 2020 and talkSPORT will bring you exclusive radio coverage.
The Reds, who beat Wolves last time out, are romping away with the Premier League title race having only dropped two points all season.
Jurgen Klopp’s side enjoyed a stunning 2019 and they’ll be looking for more success in the New Year.
They kick off the new decade by welcoming Sheffield United to Anfield with the Blades impressing in their first term back in the top-flight.
Chris Wilder and co, who lost at Manchester City on Sunday, put up a great fight when they were narrowly beaten by Liverpool in September.
Liverpool vs Sheffield United: How to listen
The Premier League clash will get under way at 8pm on Thursday, January 2.
Full commentary from Anfield will be live on talkSPORT, with our coverage starting at 7pm.
Hugh Woozencroft will bring you all the build-up before handing over to Sam Matterface and Trevor Sinclair for our live and exclusive commentary.
To tune in, just click here for the live stream or click the radio player below.
You can also listen through the talkSPORT App, on DAB Digital Radio or on MW 1053 or 1089.
For more information about how to listen LIVE on talkSPORT click here.
Liverpool vs Sheffield United: What has been said?
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp: “The home games we have must be an advantage. We have no other advantage but at home it must be an advantage.
“These boys showed now so often that we just fight with all that we have – that’s what we need from the crowd.”
Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder: “It will be an amazing experience to face off against them, we have to work hard to make sure this is a fixture every year going forward.
“And hopefully the referee doesn’t tackle our midfield player and then let their players go and score.”
talkSPORT’s best bits from 2019 – Top guests, brilliant callers and bad singing!
Liverpool vs Sheffield United: Match stats
- Liverpool won the reverse fixture against Sheffield United 1-0, and are looking to do the league double over the Blades for the first time since the 1990-91 campaign.
- Sheffield United have won just one of their last 13 away games against Liverpool in all competitions (D1 L11), picking up a 2-1 win in the Premier League in April 1994.
- Under Jürgen Klopp, Liverpool have won all 11 of their home league games against promoted sides by an aggregate score of 33-4. The Reds are unbeaten in their last 26 such games at Anfield since losing 1-2 against Blackpool in October 2010 under Roy Hodgson (W21 D5).
- Liverpool have won their first league game in just one of the last five calendar years (D2 L2). They lost their first league game of 2019 against Man City, their only Premier League defeat of 2018-19.
- Sheffield United beat Everton 2-0 at Goodison Park earlier this season – they’ve not won away against both Merseyside clubs in the same league campaign since 1965-66, a season that saw Liverpool win the league and Everton win the FA Cup.
- Liverpool are looking to keep five consecutive Premier League clean sheets for the first time since September 2007 under Rafael Benitez.
- In Premier League history, only three newly-promoted teams have won away from home against a team starting the day top of the table – Ipswich at Norwich in December 1992, Derby at Man Utd in April 1997 and Hull at Arsenal in September 2008 (P63 W3 D12 L48).
Liverpool vs Sheffield United: Line-ups
Liverpool will be without Xherdan Shaqiri after he missed Sunday’s win against Wolves due to a hamstring strain.
The Reds remain without Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Fabinho, Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip.
Sheffield United midfielder John Lundstram is in a race to be fit to face his hometown club.
Lundstram missed Sunday’s defeat at City due to an ankle injury, but was hoping to return to full training in time to be included in the squad.
The Blades have no other new injury worries.
Liverpool: TO FOLLOW
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Sheffield United: TO FOLLOW
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