Liverpool has trained ahead of facing Manchester United in the Premier League this weekend, with Alisson Becker not spotted in the pictures of the session in Kirkby
16:55, 01 May 2026
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot during a training session.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot during a training session.(Image: Nikki Dyer - Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
If Brighton and Bournemouth fail to win and then Liverpool beats Manchester United this weekend, Arne Slot's side will confirm qualification for next season's Champions League.
Those exact circumstances unfolding in the next couple of days might not be that likely to happen, but a top-five place looks fairly assured for Liverpool from here. And, after a difficult campaign, there will be some element of relief that comes with that as a result.
The main aim before the season ends is to make the most of what comes next. Liverpool travels to Old Trafford knowing a win would take it third, and it still has Chelsea, Aston Villa and Brentford to play. This is what we spotted in training on Friday.
READ MORE: Jurgen Klopp won't join Real Madrid - but there is one job that could see him return to coachingREAD MORE: Milos Kerkez 'going to miss' Liverpool star as Dominik Szoboszlai friendship clear
Alisson Becker not spotted
There was no sign of Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson Becker in the session here, with Freddie Woodman on standby. But, Slot said earlier in the day, even if he doesn't train, it isn't the same as with outfield players.
"I think there’s a difference between a goalkeeper and a player," the Reds boss explained. "If a player hasn’t trained for a few weeks, players need to run much more than goalkeepers do.
"I don’t think the issue with a player is when he’s out for four or five weeks that he forgot to know how to play football; it’s usually that the fitness levels are not at the levels to play at this intensity that the Premier League is asking."
If Alisson misses out against Manchester United, that would be a blow. It is still possible that he features, however, though Woodman will have plenty of confidence having done well last week against Crystal Palace, where he made some good saves.
Freddie Woodman of Liverpool during a training session.
Freddie Woodman of Liverpool during a training session.(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Injury boost but no Mo Salah
Milos Kerkez dropped out of a Liverpool session earlier this week, Slot revealed earlier today, and he has been managing a niggling problem. Good news, though: he was pictured here. That is clearly a positive.
Mohamed Salah, we already knew, would be out this weekend. No timeline has been placed on his return yet, beyond the fact that he will be back in time to play again before leaving this summer.
Everyone else was present and correct, as expected. Hugo Ekitike leads the numerous stars who are sidelined at the moment, but there were no surprise returns or absences.
Milos Kerkez during a Liverpool training session.
Milos Kerkez during a Liverpool training session.(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Curtis Jones decision
Midfielder Curtis Jones was present here, and he has done very well at full-back lately. Joe Gomez is fit at the moment, though, and so too Jeremie Frimpong.
Slot feels that Jones has improved in every match he has played away from his usual berth, starting with Everton and then moving into Crystal Palace.
But will he retain his place for this one? If he does, it will be the biggest test yet of whether this is something that can work moving forward as a more regular ploy.
There were no real clues to be gleaned in terms of whether or not he would play, but Jones looked in good spirits. It would be fair to describe him as a confident player, and he should have plenty of that at the moment.
Alexis Mac Allister and Curtis Jones during a Liverpool training session.
Alexis Mac Allister and Curtis Jones during a Liverpool training session.(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Young stars involved
There is a decent chance that Rio Ngumoha and Trey Nyoni could find their way onto the pitch on Sunday as Liverpool takes on Manchester United, no matter how the game unfolds.
Article continues below
That pair are set to be involved in the squad, and 18-year-old striker Will Wright — signed from Salford City last summer — might be too in the absence of Ekitike. Last weekend, he scored twice for the Reds' U21s and has had an impressive debut campaign.
Having already played lower league soccer, Wright is ready to take the next steps in his career, and he wouldn't shirk a physical altercation, even if an outing at Old Trafford might have to wait.
Kieran Morrison and James McConnell also featured in the session, with an interesting summer lying ahead for each of them.