Dejan Lovren v Romelu Lukaku and other key battles as Liverpool host rivals Man Utd

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  • Will Lukaku fire at Anfield?

    The Premier League is finally back this weekend!

    And Liverpool’s clash with rivals Manchester United is a fixture to set the pulses racing!

    Here, we look at three key player battles that could go a long way to deciding where the game will be won and lost.

    Who do you think will win at Anfield?

    Get in touch with your thoughts via Twitter or Facebook.

    DEJAN LOVREN V ROMELU LUKAKU

    The Liverpool centre-back will have his work cut out to stop the in-form Red Devils striker, who has struck seven goals in as many appearances so far in the Premier League this season.

    Lovren has been a mainstay in the Merseysiders’ backline this term but will have to be at his best to restrict the towering presence of Lukaku and his direct threat on goal.

    That said, the former Southampton man shackled Lukaku twice last term when the forward was in Everton colours.

    But, both of those games were in a completely different set of circumstances.

    Lukaku is playing in a far better side this time around and is bound to have plenty more chances. Expect the Belgian to take the honours in this dual.

    JORDAN HENDERSON V ANDER HERRERA

    The Liverpool captain came under-fire during the international break with England for his backwards/side-to-side passing and lack of forward play, so the 27-year-old will be glad to get back to domestic football.

    The central midfield area in these types of games is always congested and it may well suit Henderson to get stuck into battle, where he’ll face Ander Herrera, who now has a chance to impress given Marouane Fellaini’s injury.

    While Henderson and Herrera will no doubt be two of the most committed players on the pitch, the Kop man will need to track runs of the Spaniard into the box and also try to drive Jurgen Klopp’s men forward when in possession.

    It’s fairly even as far as these two are concerned, with whoever is more willing to make a telling contribution in the opposition’s box giving them the edge in this battle.

    JOE GOMEZ V MARCUS RASHFORD

    The 20-year-old Reds right-back is likely to have a busy afternoon on Merseyside as he deals with the threat of Marcus Rashford, who is likely to get the nod down the left flank.

    It’s not out of the question that Jose Mourinho will have identified Gomez as a man to target but he does have the physical presence, if not experience in this fixture, to cope.

    A rampant Rashford has the ability to cause any full-back problems and this will be the sternest test of the former Charlton defender’s Anfield career so far.

    And if he hasn’t got enough on his plate defensively, he will need to do more to support and overlap star winger Mohamed Salah – although attacking play doesn’t come naturally to him.

    It should be a competitive contest and it’s good to see two talented English youngsters both being given an opportunity.

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