An eventful start as former Everton man John Lundstram is late on Mo Salah and goes into the book.

Then Trent Alexander-Arnold shoots from the halfway line and Aaron Ramsdale has to push it over!

Image source, Reuters

And Liverpool are nearly ahead inside the first minute! A ball forwards finds Sadio Mane in behind, Aaron Ramsdale is in no-man's land and Mane puts the ball across the goalkeeper and on target.

It would go in but John Egan has covered and hacks it clear.

Image source, PA Media

Penny for them Jurgen...

Away we go!

Here come the sides at Anfield. A test for Fabinho at centre-back then but onehe passed with flying colours in midweek against an Ajax attack that, er, seems fruitful enough...

Chris: Such a positive line up against the Blades. Love that Bobby is dropping into a number 10 (officially) Klopp already innovating. Alisson back will relax everyone!

Gibson: I gasped when I saw Allison Becker on that team sheet!. Every Liverpool fan breathed a collective sigh of relief......

If you're wondering how Liverpool will line up tonight we reckon they've gone 4-2-3-1 with Roberto Firmino in the middle behind Mo Salah.

Liverpool

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp speaking to Sky Sports on Alisson: "He makes the decision if he can play and he says 'yes, thumbs up' so that is easy."

On Rhian Brewster starting against Liverpool: "He is a natural finisher, we know everything about him. He has done that enough times in training. To cut off players like that you have to minimise the passes to him."

Jurgen Klopp says Alisson made the decision to play tonight, and that he's been in training for five or six days without any issues.

Liverpool could go three consecutive Premier League matches without a win for the first time since May 2018.

The Reds are unbeaten in their past 61 Premier League home games, winning 27 of their last 28 at Anfield. They have scored 162 goals at an average of 2.7 per game during that run, conceding just 40 at 0.7 per game.

The 25 goals let in by Liverpool since June's Premier League resumption is the second most of any side, behind Crystal Palace's 26.

Sheffield United have not scored more than one goal in any of their past 13 Premier League away games, totalling only six since beating Norwich 2-1 in December 2019.

Chelsea

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta speaking to Sky Sports: "I have the feeling we could have done more. We found spaces but we didn't create the last pass or pick the right pass or make the right decisions. We defended solid and they have at the end one save by Edouard [Mendy] and in the first half one mistake by us, but we could do more.

"For moments we had spells. In the first half we controlled better but in the second half sometimes we rushed it and didn't move the ball good enough. We lost possession too easily which meant we lost some control but we showed solidity and it was a great effort from everybody. Obviously we want more."

On whether Chelsea should have had a penalty: "A good question, on the pitch I felt yes and I felt arms around my neck and shoulders. The referee can make the decision, the VAR is there [to help]. In any situation the referee takes the main decisions and the monitor is there for him to help. It was 50-50 so why not take 20 seconds to review it? I think VAR can improve a lot. It happens, it is football, I don't say every time there is contact there should be a penalty. In England there is strong physical contact. In football and in the Premier League always we should seek improvement - it is not a criticism, we can all help together to make a better league.

"We have a long season to go and hopefully we can keep improving. We have the quality to do it."

Of course, Adrian is NOT in goal tonight as Alisson returns. A massive boost?

Image source, BBC Sport

With Virgil van Dijk injured, Fabinho played well at centre-back against Ajax on Wednesday night but I think it will be harder for him if he stands in again there on Saturday.

Fabinho will be fine in open play, it is from set-pieces where I'd worry about him. Van Dijk was such a massive influence when it came to defending corners and free-kicks - he basically had a magnet on his head.

Sheffield United will be trying to test Liverpool in those situations, especially with Adrian in goal.

So, I'd back the Blades to score at Anfield and, although I'd back Liverpool to score more, I just think it will be tight.

Prediction: 2-1

Lawro's full predictions v legendary Style Council drummer Steve White

So as we digest that match, a reminder that the final game of the day kicks off in half an hour...

Eamonn: I suspect if there was a crowd in the atmosphere would be much the same! Dreadful stuff!

Ash: How much did all this ‘talent’ cost? Really poor showing from both teams.

Mike: There’s good 0-0s & there’s bad 0-0s; that 0-0 was abysmal!

Andrew: Exceptional lack of ambition from Chelsea there. Parking the bus like a relegation threatened team against champions. It was last season's 3rd vs 4th. Really poor