Liverpool will meet sworn rivals Manchester United in European competition for the first time at Anfield on Thursday in the first leg of their last-16 Europa League clash.
With both sides outside of the top four of the Premier League, winning the continent’s secondary competition this season represents the best chance of qualifying for next year’s Champions League.
Neither side can afford to lose over the two-legged tie as winning the trophy might be an avenue for UEFA champions league football next season.
TEAM NEWS
LIVERPOOL
Striker Daniel Sturridge is likely to return to Liverpool’s starting line-up for the Europa League visit of Manchester United.
The England international has been rested for the last two matches but is set to lead the line in the first European encounter between the two sides with Divock Origi likely to drop out.
Right-back Nathaniel Clyne will return at the expense of Jon Flanagan, who is ineligible having not been registered for the Europa League by manager Jurgen Klopp prior to his return to fitness, while there is a doubt over midfielder James Milner after he was sent home from training with illness.
Provisional squad: Mignolet, Clyne, Lovren, Sakho, Moreno, Allen, Henderson, Can, Firmino, Coutinho, Sturridge, Ward, Toure, Skrtel, Smith, Teixeira, Milner, Lallana, Benteke, Origi.
MANCHESTER UNITED
Jesse Lingard will miss the first leg of Manchester United’s Europa League last-16 clash with Liverpool through suspension.
The winger was booked in both legs of the previous round against FC Midtjylland. Adnan Januzaj is cup-tied and Timothy Fosu-Mensah ineligible for the trip to Anfield, where Antonio Valencia is set to be involved in the squad after a foot injury.
Wayne Rooney, Ashley Young, Will Keane and Luke Shaw remain absent, while Bastian Schweinsteiger and Phil Jones are stepping up their returns to fitness.
Provisional squad: De Gea, Romero, Joel Pereira, Darmian, Riley, Rojo, Varela, Valencia, Love, Jones, Blind, Smalling, Poole, McNair, Schneiderlin, Herrera, Rothwell, Fellaini, Carrick, Weir, A Pereira, Mata, Depay, Martial, Rashford.
sportscrusader.com will bring readers live update on the game from 6pm.
UEL Build Up: Liverpool vs Manchester United
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