Manchester United v Liverpool team news - Simon Mignolet dropped for Brad Jones

All the team news from this afternoon's big kick-off at Old Trafford

Teddy Cutler
Sunday 14 December 2014 13:44 GMT
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Simon Mignolet has been dropped to the bench following a run of mistakes
Simon Mignolet has been dropped to the bench following a run of mistakes (Darko Vojinovic/AP)

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There is no place for Simon Mignolet in the starting lineup for Liverpool this afternoon as Brendan Rodgers finally appears to have lost patience in the keeper following a poor run of form.

Liverpool make three changes, bringing in Philippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana in his comeback from injury for boyhood fan Rickie Lambert and Lucas Leiva. In goal, former Middlesbrough man, the Australian Brad Jones comes in to replace the Belgian.

Mario Balotelli in Liverpool's starting lineup this afternoon after a controversial week in which the troubled striker decided not to contest his FA charge.

It's an offensively-minded team, as Lallana, in his comeback from injury replaces Lucas, who drops to the bench. But both fit, recognised strikers are on the bench, suggesting a change of tactics for a team who have looked a wooden imitation of last season's dynamic attacking force.

Manchester United's three changes all come in defence, as Paddy McNair, Chris Smalling and Marcos Rojo all drop to the bench to be replaced by Phil Jones after a calf injury and Jonny Evans. James Wilson is the final change, an attacking one, replacing the Argentine defender.

Rojo had been scheduled to play but picked up an injury in training, causing Jones to be drafted in at late notice.

Falcao is on the bench following Van Gaal's proclamation that he was only ready for 20 minutes of football.

Man United: De Gea, Valencia, Jones, Evans, Young, Carrick, Fellaini, Mata, Rooney, van Persie, Wilson

Subs: Lindegaard, McNair, Blackett, Herrera, Fletcher, Januzaj, Falcao

Liverpool: Jones, Skrtel, Lovren, Johnson, Moreno, Henderson, Allen, Gerrard, Coutinho, Lallana, Sterling

Subs: Mignolet, Toure, Lambert, Lucas, Can, Balotelli, Markovic

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