Jurgen Klopp’s selection dilemma ahead of Man Utd vs Liverpool with key attackers missing

The prospect of facing Liverpool next week became a tad less daunting for Manchester United on Monday night, following Darwin Nunez’s red card against Crystal Palace.

The Merseyside club drew 1-1 at Anfield, but it’s a game they could well have won had they retained the services of all 11 players.

Yet Nunez was sent off in the 57th minute for a needless headbutt on Palace defender Joachim Andersen, meaning Liverpool’s new signing will miss the club’s next three games.

That, of course, includes the clash at Old Trafford on Monday where United and Liverpool will both be hoping to end their winless starts to the new Premier League campaign.

Nunez’s dismissal only compounds the current selection issues facing Jurgen Klopp, with Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino missing Monday’s draw with the Eagles through injury.

Klopp did say in his post-match interviews that the latter might be back in time for the match next week, but should he miss out, it will leave Liverpool with just two fit attackers to choose from in Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz.

Klopp could be forced to alter his shape from a 4-3-3, something the German rarely does, or select midfielders Harvey Elliot or Fabio Carvalho in a more advanced position.

In addition to their attacking issues, Liverpool have injury concerns across the team, with Caoimhin Kelleher, Joel Matip, Ibrahima Konate, Thiago, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Curtis Jones all suffering from niggles or long-term problems.

As for United, they will hope Victor Lindelof and Anthony Martial are available after missing the opening two games through injury.

The Red Devils have lost both of those encounters, going down 2-1 to Brighton & Hove Albion and then receiving a 4-0 thrashing off Brentford last weekend.

As for Liverpool, their 1-1 draw with Palace was preceded by a 2-2 tie away at Fulham on the first weekend of the new season, meaning they already trail league leaders Manchester City by four points.