Liverpool vs Man United: Red Devils Likely to Be without Ronaldo Ahead of Showdown

Liverpool vs Man United: Red Devils Likely to Be without Ronaldo Ahead of Showdown

Rene Otinga
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:00 PM
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  • Ronaldo’s availability still hangs in the balance after the death of his son.
  • Manchester United are chasing a Champions League spot while Liverpool are in the hunt of the Premier League title
  • Liverpool looking to do a double on United for the first time since the 2013-2014 season

Liverpool will today host Manchester United as they seek to pile up pressure on league leaders Manchester City. Liverpool are currently on 73 points, one point behind City who will be in action tomorrow against Brighton and Hove Albion.

Manchester United on the other hand are chasing a Champions League spot with a win tonight taking them on level points with Tottenham Hotspurs in fourth. United beat Norwich 3-2 in their weekend fixture while Liverpool swept aside Manchester City in the FA Cup semifinal.

Liverpool vs Man United, Cristiano, EPL
Man United players celebrate Cristiano's goal vs Norwich. Photo by Simon Stacpoole.
Source: Getty Images

Team News

Liverpool’s head coach Jurgen Klopp has all his stars available for action. The free-scoring side has an abundance of attacking options with League top-scorer Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Portuguese forward Diogo Jota expected to be in from the start. Klopp also has the luxury of calling upon January signing Luis Diaz and Brazilian striker Roberto Firmino.

Liverpool are looking to complete a double over Manchester United for the first time since the 2013-2014 season. Mohamed Salah was in imperious form the last time these two sides met, bagging an unprecedented hat-trick at Old Trafford.

Will Ronaldo be available?

It is not yet clear whether Cristiano Ronaldo will be available for this huge clash. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner announced yesterday the demise of his newborn baby and could as well be excused from this tie.

Head coach Ralf Rangnick has confirmed that Bruno Fernandes will be available despite the midfielder being involved in a car accident on Monday.

However, the interim Red Devils tactician will have to do without the midfield duo of Fred and Scott McTomminay. Nemanja Matic and Paul Pogba are in line to start tonight against a formidable Liverpool midfield headlined by Thiago Alacantara.

Full-back Luke Shaw is still out with a calf injury and Alex Telles is expected to slot in. A late call will be made on the availability of defender Raphael Varane who has been nursing a leg injury.

Ronaldo’s possible absence will be a big blow to Manchester United given his form in front of goal this season. His recent hat-trick against Norwich, the 60th of his career, took him to 15 Premier League goals, the most of any United player.

Jesse Lingard and youngster Antony Elanga could partner Bruno Fernandes and Jadon Sancho upfront.

Man United’s message to Cristiano

Earlier, Sports Brief reported of how Manchester United sympathized with their top scorer following the death of his newborn son.

The Portuguese striker, alongside partner Georgina Rodriguez, released a joint statement on Monday night over the passing

Your pain is our pain, @Cristiano. Sending love and strength to you and the family at this time." United’s statement read.

Authors
Rene Otinga photo
Rene Otinga
Rene Otinga is a sports journalist with over eight years of working experience in digital media. Rene's experience includes working as a Copywriter at X News Kenya and TUKO.co.ke.
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