The ball pops up nicely for David McGoldrick on the edge of the box and he has a go. It's on target and Alisson has to concede a corner.

Phil Dawkes
BBC Sport at Anfield

The last thing Sheffield United needed to happen. George Baldock holds his head in his hands as his slip allows Andy Robertson to lay on the simplest of finishes for Mohamed Salah.

The Kop was already in decent voice, now it's bouncing.

For the Blades, an improbable task just got that much harder.

Sheffield United try to respond - John Lundstram taking advantage of a lapse in concentration at the back - but he's a long way out as he goes for the top right corner.

It curls harmlessly wide but it's not too far off. Alisson was watching it all the way.

Oliver Norwood gets through Jordan Henderson and tries to pick out David McGoldrick with one over the top. Alisson rushes off his line to sniff out the danger.

Liverpool immediately go up the other end and Mohamed Salah slips it in for James Milner. He tries to cut it back to him in the six-yard box but it's intercepted. Jurgen Klopp applauds the move.

Joe Gomez tries to find Mohamed Salah with one of those long balls forward but the Egyptian is offside.

Off we go!

Image source, Getty Images

Here come the teams! The first for both in 2020.

So here's the new starting line-up for Liverpool and a reminder of the Sheffield United team.

Image source, .

Image source, .

Liverpool

Liverpool full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold says: "We want to get the year off to a good start and win the game but we're against an opponent that is very resilient.

"It's a hard game ahead but we know with the quality we have got and the players we have got we can win. We have a lot of confidence, there's not so much expectation, it's just knowing the quality we have."

On almost going a whole year unbeaten, he added: "It takes some doing. There's still one game ahead of us to get past. But to to be around a year unbeaten is special."

John Murray
BBC Radio 5 Live commentator

Naby Keita has picked up an injury in the warm-up. James Milner replaces him in the starting XI for Liverpool.

Neco Williams on the bench.

Forceful.

N Moore: Students vs staff uni match. I absolutely FLATTENED the website guy, out-muscled him! Boom! Bone snapping noises, ambulance called, guy off work for 2 months. Shame that I was the assistant website-editor and didn’t get paid for 8 weeks!!

Colin Bundred: My greatest footballing achievement was getting sent off in an inter school game for a tackle on future Liverpool tough guy Tommy Smith.

Sheffield United

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder: "It will be an amazing experience to face off against Liverpool. 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."

Mark Lawrenson
Ex-Liverpool defender to BBC Sport

If I had to name a manager of the year midway through the season then it would be Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder.

The great thing about them is they have shown every promoted team that they do not have to spend fortunes if you're well coached, well organised and difficult to beat.

It's different for Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp and all the other managers near the top because they have got real quality. Wilder has done a fantastic job.

So here's what Sheffield United are up against tonight:

• Liverpool are enjoying a 50-match unbeaten league run at Anfield (W40, D10), winning the last 17.
• They have gone 36 top-flight matches without defeat since losing at Manchester City on 3 January 2019
• Liverpool have won all 11 of their home league games against newly-promoted sides under Jurgen Klopp, scoring 33 goals and conceding just four.

Image source, BBC Sport

BBC Radio 5 Live

If you're on the move, you can get updates from this game on BBC Radio 5 Live (as well as following my live text, of course)!

Liverpool

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson on the form of defender Joe Gomez: "We all know what a massive talent Joe is, but at this level it's also about perseverance. It's meant the world to all of us to see how he's stepped up yet again and is playing with such confidence and control.

"Joe isn't someone who is bothered about individual praise and he'll be the first to say that, in terms of contribution to the team, he has even more to give.

"But I think his situation is a great example to any player that hard work and only hard work is the path to achieving something special - be it as a person or a team."

The Bearded One: Saved a penalty in normal time in a semi final against the team that had won the previous 3 cups. Saved two in the shootout as well. Went onto lose in the Final though.

Simon: My best goal picking the ball up 40 yards out, going round four people and curling it top bins from outside the D. Always said I’d celebrate like Cantona but lost it and ran off like Tardelli in 1982.

Happy new year Sheffield United fans, whose team are still in the top half of the Premier League table! European football next? Why not.

Victory here today and you jump up to fifth place, overtaking Manchester United. Nice.

Image source, BBC Sport