‘A big chance’: Klopp confirms that he expects to have vital returnee fit to face United on Sunday

Manchester United host Liverpool at Old Trafford this Sunday in a second meeting between the rivals in just three weeks. 

Last time out, the Red Devils booked their spot in the FA Cup semi-finals when the seven-goal thriller culminated with Amad Diallo scoring an emphatic winner in the dying embers of extra-time.

It’s a Premier League clash that awaits the sides now, with United holding an opportunity to significantly dampen the Merseyside outfit’s title hopes. They currently sit atop the table and if it remains that way by the end of May, Liverpool will level the Reds’ record of 20 league titles. That would certainly be a tough one to stomach for the M16 faithful.

Jurgen Klopp’s men oversaw a 3-1 triumph over rock-bottom Sheffield United last night, while Erik ten Hag’s side collapsed at Stamford Bridge and conceded two stoppage-time goals to ultimately lose 4-3 at the hands of Chelsea. 

It is the latest a team has ever led – 3-2 in 99:17 minutes – before going on to sustain a defeat in a PL match. As well as that, Cole Palmer’s deflected strike in 100:39 minutes marked the latest winning goal on record.

As such, Ten Hag and his squad will have to quickly pick themselves up and dust themselves off if they want to bounce back at the earliest opportunity against the Scousers.

Klopp expects one absentee to return vs United

Klopp revealed following the full-time whistle at Anfield that he is expecting a timely fitness boost in the form of Wataru Endo returning to face United; he missed Thursday’s fixture through a knock but is now likely to reach full fitness by Sunday. 

“That’s my information [that he will be fit],” the German told club media. “We rested him today. We had a feeling there could have been a chance for tonight but if we leave him out, then there is a big chance for Sunday. I hope that didn’t change.”