The full Liverpool squad available for Wednesday's Premier League fixture against Sheffield United

Find out how you can watch Liverpool this week's mid-week round of fixtures for free on Amazon Prime Video

The full Liverpool squad available for Wednesday's Premier League fixture against Sheffield United

Find out how you can watch Liverpool this week's mid-week round of fixtures for free on Amazon Prime Video

Sheffield United have appointed Chris Wilder as manager, who took issue with Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp during his first stint in charge

Sheffield United have appointed Chris Wilder as manager, who took issue with Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp during his first stint in charge

Centre-half's absence will be keenly felt so it is up to others to step up and keep title bid on track

An exploration of how leading clubs use the movement of wide forwards in the Premier League

The ECHO takes a look at how a successful December could look for Liverpool and their Premier League title chances

Liverpool transfer news, rumours, gossip and speculation including the latest on Joel Matip, Alisson Becker, Andy Robertson, Diogo Jota and more injury updates

The ECHO takes a look at how a successful December could look for Liverpool and their Premier League title chances

Liverpool transfer news, rumours, gossip and speculation including the latest on Joel Matip, Alisson Becker, Andy Robertson, Diogo Jota and more injury updates

Your morning Liverpool headlines for Wednesday, December 6

Your morning Liverpool headlines for Wednesday, December 6

Erling Haaland was angry with referee Simon Hooper as Manchester City were held to a 3-3 draw with Tottenham Hotspur

Erling Haaland was angry with referee Simon Hooper as Manchester City were held to a 3-3 draw with Tottenham Hotspur

Liverpool started a hectic week in fine, if not convincing, fashion. By securing three points against Fulham on Sunday, the Reds set themselves up nicely for trips to Sheffield United and Crystal Palace.

The complexion of the title race could change a fair bit between now and the conclusion of the match between Tottenham and Newcastle in the Super Sunday slot, the final game of the week. While that is arguably the biggest show in town this week, Aston Villa host Manchester City while Manchester United are at home to Chelsea on Wednesday evening.

The former of those fixtures will obviously have a far greater bearing on Liverpool’s title hopes. Having dropped points in its last three league games, will City do so once again when away to a side that has won every home match this season? It has to be a distinct possibility.

READ MORE: Liverpool already knows how Man Utd controversy ends as Erik ten Hag faces José Mourinho fate

READ MORE: Pep Guardiola makes Man City title prediction amid Liverpool and Tottenham claim

And while United are far less of the Reds’ concern in 2023/24, it remains grimly fascinating to observe in which strange direction the club will turn next. With both Manchester clubs never far from our thoughts, here are two Liverpool.com stories you won’t want to miss today.

Man Utd told to sack Erik ten Hag and replace him with former Liverpool favorite

It would be fascinating to know which managers are on Liverpool’s shortlist for the day we all dread, the one when Jürgen Klopp steps down from the club. While not an imminent risk, the German is closer to the end of his tenure than the start. A change could come round before we know it.

One man who must surely be in the reckoning is Xabi Alonso, the former Reds’ midfielder who has guided Bayer Leverkusen to the top of the Bundesliga. Yet could he be bound for Manchester United before Liverpool need his services?

Kopites will obviously hope not. But it could become a reality if United pay attention to what Richard Keys has been saying on beIN SPORTS. "In my view, Manchester United should go now to Leverkusen and they should say to Xabi Alonso: ‘We want you to come to Old Trafford. We will give you Saudi League money and we will guarantee you five years’,” he said.

They could do a lot worse, and knowing United they will. But Matt Addison has more on the idea of Alonso managing the club in this article.

Liverpool should be outraged by Haaland outcome as Klopp knows clear injustice

It felt like the story arcs of Liverpool’s season – at least in terms of referees – all came to town when Manchester City drew 3-3 with Tottenham on Sunday. The match was officiated by Simon Hooper, the ref at the center of the VAR storm when the Reds were controversially beaten by Spurs. He’s in charge of Liverpool’s trip to Sheffield United on Wednesday too.

The game at the Etihad also featured poor player behavior in respect of the officials, something for which Virgil van Dijk was punished earlier in the campaign. Yet no Man City player is being charged for their reactions to Hooper’s performance, merely the club for their collective behavior.

A double standard? In English football? Surely not. James Martin takes a closer look at the fallout from the clash between the Cityzens and Tottenham here.

Adblock test (Why?)

Here's how Liverpool's next six Premier League fixtures compare to those of Arsenal, Manchester City, Aston Villa and Tottenham

Here's how Liverpool's next six Premier League fixtures compare to those of Arsenal, Manchester City, Aston Villa and Tottenham

It’s all falling apart at Old Trafford again — figuratively and literally.

The problems at Manchester United have been well-documented over the years, so we won’t go full Gary Neville and endlessly discuss the Glazers’ ownership, or a stadium that is quickly going out of date. It does seem though that the axe might be sharpened for yet another manager soon.

Erik ten Hag looks to be feeling the pressure. Yet more questions are being asked about his methods, with reports suggesting a player revolt could be in the works (via the Mirror) after the Dutchman fell out with yet another of the club’s stars, this time Anthony Martial.

READ MORE: Pep Guardiola makes Man City title prediction amid Liverpool and Tottenham claim

READ MORE: Liverpool transfer news as FSG 'revisit' two targets amid 'negotiations' and Man United 'race'

And United hasn’t done anything to dispel a feeling of unrest. In fact, by banning four media outlets from Ten Hag’s press conference (as per the Manchester Evening News), it has stoked the fires further.

While the Glazers invariably take the brunt of the criticism, Ten Hag certainly cannot go without blame. Some of his decisions during his time at the club have been questionable to say the least, especially after splashing out on the likes of Antony and André Onana — players who came on the recommendation of their former manager.

All of this comes just over a week before United makes the journey to Anfield, and it will no doubt be music to the ears of Liverpool fans. After all, we’ve been here before, and we know how it all ends.

Jürgen Klopp has been something of a grim reaper figure for the Red Devils in recent years. José Mourinho was the first to feel his blade in 2018 after a 3-1 loss on Merseyside brought about his downfall.

Sign up for our EXCLUSIVE Liverpool.com newsletter!

If you enjoyed this piece, you'll love our Liverpool.com newsletter — once a week, we send exclusive, bonus content only to people signed up to our mailing list!

Our newsletter subscribers get an extra slice of Liverpool.com from one of the best Liverpool FC writers around — straight to your inbox, and completely for free.

Wherever you are in the world — in the US, the UK or further afield — you don't want to miss out.

Sign up to the Liverpool.com newsletter here — it only takes a few seconds!

Ole Gunnar Solskjær just about avoided the same fate after the infamous 5-0 defeat at Old Trafford in 2021, although the writing was very much on the wall. He would only last another four games after that.

So, with just over a week to go until Liverpool faces Manchester United again, it does feel as though history is repeating itself. After suffering a humiliating 7-0 defeat earlier this year, Ten Hag probably isn’t relishing returning to Anfield right about now.

By the time that game rolls around, chances are United will be out of the Champions League, and possibly out of Europe altogether. If Chelsea and/or Bournemouth can pick up points against them as well, you can guarantee Liverpool fans will be turning up the heat.

Given the gloating they had to put up with last season after being beaten to a top-four finish by their biggest rivals, they will no doubt feel their revenge is incoming. Yet another United manager could be about to have his fate decided by Klopp and his side.

Adblock test (Why?)