The latest Liverpool and Manchester United team news ahead of a massive derby match on Sunday.
It’s always a big occasion when Liverpool take on old rivals Manchester United – but recent results have made Sunday’s match at Anfield feel especially important.
Liverpool have lost three games in a row for the first time under Arne Slot, and a defeat to an inconsistent Manchester United side would feel devastating – meanwhile, Ruben Amorim is under immense pressure despite earning two wins in United’s last thee games. The final score at Anfield could have a major impact on the narrative surrounding these two teams.
Both sides will head into the match with injury concerns, and Liverpool could be missing several key first-team players – while United are sweating on the fitness of several defenders who could make the difference. We’ve got all the latest team news, injury updates and our predictions for the two teams’ starting XIs below.
Alisson & Ibrahima Konaté among injury worries for Liverpool
One player who certainly won’t be involved against Manchester United is first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker, who is likely to be out for another three weeks or so thanks to a thigh injury. Giorgio Mamardashvili will deputise between the sticks once more.
In front of him, there is some doubt over whether Ibrahima Konaté will be available after a quad issue picked up prior to the international break – the defender was called up to the France squad only to be sent home without playing a minute. Slot told the media on Friday that Konaté was expected back in training before the game, and it looks likely that he will be involved. Young centre-half Giovanni Leoni sadly won’t be available, with an ACL injury likely ruling him out for the season.
There’s good news on the fitness of Ryan Gravenberch, who is “completely fit” despite concerns over a potential hamstring injury. It is unclear whether fellow midfielder Wataru Endo will be involved – he dropped out of the Japan squad for their recent friendlies at the last minute after sustaining an unspecified injury in the 2-1 defeat to Chelsea.
Liverpool predicted starting XI: Mamardashvili; Kerkez, Van Dijk, Konaté, Frimpong; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Gakpo, Wirtz, Salah; Isak.
Manchester United sweating on Nouassir Mazraoui & Ayden Heaven
Manchester United have fewer injury concerns ahead of a game that could change the course of Amorim’s tenure should they win – but there are several worries in defence.
Wing-back Nouassir Mazraoui, who has missed the last two league matches, was included in Morocco’s international squad but didn’t play a single minute, with reports indicating that he was limited to light training only thanks to an unspecified injury. The 27-year-old will be assessed ahead of Sunday’s game and his status is uncertain.
There’s also doubt over the involvement of promising youngster Ayden Heaven, who has played just three top flight minutes this season. Heaven has a knock that Amorim described as not being “too serious” a little over a week ago and could miss out. Lisandro Martínez should be back from a serious knee injury soon, but a date has not been set and there are no indications that he is close to being involved against Liverpool as it stands.
Elsewhere, United appear to have emerged from the international break unscathed and have a full slate of midfielders and forwards to choose from. Senne Lammens, who kept a clean sheet on debut against Sunderland, is likely to start between the sticks once more.
Manchester United predicted starting XI: Lammens; Shaw, De Ligt, Yoro; Dorgu, Fernandes, Casemiro, Dalot; Cunha, Mbeumo, Šeško.
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