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2023/24 English Premier League
Matchday 31
Liverpool v Sheffield United
Anfield
Liverpool, England
Thursday, 4 April 2024
Kick-off is at 20h30
Premier League leaders Liverpool will look to stay ahead of their title rivals when they host basement boys Sheffield United at Anfield on Thursday, April 4.
The Reds reclaimed top spot from Arsenal after battling back from an early goal down to beat Brighton 2-1 on Merseyside on March 31 which extended their unbeaten run to six games.
The Gunners dropped two points behind Jurgen Klopp's side in second place after sharing the spoils in a 0-0 draw with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on March 31.
City (3rd) are now undefeated in their last 14 outings, although Aston Villa closed within five points of them in fourth position courtesy of a 2-0 win over Wolves at Villa Park on March 30.
The Blades played out to a thrilling 3-3 draw with Fulham at Bramall Lane on March 30, but they remain rooted to the foot of the table after picking up just two points from their last five matches to sit seven adrift of safety.
Burnley (19th) held Chelsea to a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge on March 30 to maintain the three-point gap to Chris Wilder's side, while Luton (18th) slipped back into the relegation zone after suffering a 2-1 defeat to Tottenham.
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In team news, Klopp could welcome back Curtis Jones and Andrew Robertson (both ankle), but he continues to be without Joel Matip, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Diogo Jota (all knee), Alisson, Thiago Alcantara (both thigh) and Stefan Bajcetic. Wilder has even more injuries to contend with as Max Lowe, Chris Basham, John Egan (all ankle), Rhys Norrington-Davies, Rhian Brewster (both thigh), George Baldock (calf), Tom Davies (knock), Daniel Jebbison (illness) remain unavailable, while Cameron Archer (calf) is rated doubtful.
Klopp believes Mohamed Salah is back to his best after recovering from injury and scoring the winner against the Seagulls to take his tally for the season to 16 goals.
"Yes, playing-wise, absolutely [Salah is now back to his best in terms of sharpness]," the German said. "Imagine if Mo would have finished off all the situations in his career, that would have been crazy numbers, so it is absolutely fine.
"Mo as well, like others, was a bit in a rush in the finishing situations in the first half, the finishes were not like they can do it.
"But then being that calm in the decisive moment when you have to finish the biggest chance we had, it was the best football situation we played, that then makes a real goalscorer so I am absolutely happy with everything."
Wilder expressed his disappointment at conceding more sloppy goals as the Blades twice surrendered the lead to be pegged back by the Cottagers.
"We had to make sure we had a foothold in the game and we had been out of the game at half-time in the last four home games, so were happy to get off to a good start against a really good team on a good run," he said.
"We were the better team in the period where we scored. We got ourselves in front but conceded some poor goals yet again, which is typical of where we are. To score two goals at Bournemouth and draw, and three today and only come away with a draw is a disappointing aspect.
"When you go to 3-3, and you have to suffer the disappointment of being pegged back, and everyone thought there was going to be only one winner, so credit to our players for hanging in there."
Head-to-Head (Last Five Premier League Meetings)
Matches - 5
Liverpool wins - 5
Sheff United wins - 0
Draws - 0
Premier League Matchday 31 fixtures:
Tuesday, April 2
18h30: Nottingham Forest v Fulham
18h30: Newcastle United v Everton
18h45: Bournemouth v Crystal Palace
18h45: Burnley v Wolverhampton Wanderers
19h15: West Ham United v Tottenham Hotspur
Wednesday, April 3
18h30: Arsenal v Luton Town
18h30: Brentford v Brighton & Hove Albion
19h15: Manchester City v Aston Villa
Thursday, April 4
18h30: Liverpool v Sheffield United
19h15: Chelsea v Manchester United
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