Paul Merson makes surprise prediction on who will play upfront for Liverpool against Man United

Paul Merson has revealed that he believes Jurgen Klopp could deploy new Liverpool signing Fabio Carvalho as a striker against Manchester United.

Darwin Nunez was dismissed against Crystal Palace last Monday after headbutting Joachim Andersen and will now miss the Reds’ next three games, while Diogo Jota continues to be sidelined with an injury.

While Roberto Firmino is expected to be fit after being left out as a precaution against Patrick Vieira’s side, Klopp may still deem bringing the Brazilian straight back into the starting eleven a risk.

This would leave the German boss without an obvious option up front, and although Mohamed Salah or Luis Diaz could be shifted into this position, Sky Sports pundit Merson believes Klopp could opt for a slightly more innovative approach.

The former Arsenal player wrote in his Sportskeeda column: “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again- Sadio Mane is a huge miss for Liverpool."

"Why sell him for £30 million when you could’ve kept him around for a year and once again fought on all fronts, like they did last season?"

“With Roberto Firmino injured and Darwin Nunez suspended, they have no one to come off the bench and make an impact as a substitute.

“I have no clue who is going to play up front with Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah- maybe young Fabio Carvalho will get thrown into the fray at Old Trafford?”

Carvalho arrived at Anfield earlier this summer from Fulham for a fee that could rise to £7.7 million with add-ons.

Although he has predominantly been used as an attacking midfielder throughout his short career thus far, having scored 11 goals for the Cottagers last season, he does carry some goalscoring pedigree that could see him suited to a false nine role.

Whatever Klopp opts for, he’ll be desperate to pick up his first win of the new season against the Merseyside club’s North West rivals, who are currently in disarray after two consecutive defeats.

Liverpool have suffered two frustrating draws in their first two fixtures and find themselves four points behind title rivals Manchester City at this early stage.

With City expected to pick up another three points away at Newcastle this weekend, another game without victory is unthinkable for Klopp’s side.

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: Paul Merson, Fabio Carvalho, Liverpool

Alfie Culshaw

Alfie is a football journalist who focuses on Liverpool FC and Manchester United