Liverpool travel to Old Trafford to face bitter rivals Manchester United on Sunday afternoon, with a number of players absent from the clash of two Premier League giants
Arne Slot speaks with Mohamed Salah
Mohamed Salah will miss Liverpool's clash with Manchester United(Image: Liverpool FC, Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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As many as ten players could be unavailable for Liverpool's Premier League game with Manchester United this weekend. The fierce rivals are due to meet at Old Trafford at 3.30pm on Sunday, with Michael Carrick and Arne Slot each seeking to get one over their respective neighbours.
There is more than just north-western pride at stake, as both sides battle to secure Champions League qualification for 2026/27. While United and Liverpool would ideally field full-strength line-ups, a number of important players on either side will be absent.
Liverpool will be missing several key players for the match, with Slot providing a fitness update during his press conference on Friday afternoon. The Dutchman said of Mohamed Salah, who picked up a hamstring injury against Crystal Palace last weekend: "As we know for Mo, he is always working hard when he is fit and when he is injured to be back. He is usually fitter than others, so we expect him back for the final part of the season."
He added: "It is always a big relief that his injury is minor to play for us and the World Cup. Any time a player who deserved a send-off, it's great news."
Alisson will similarly be absent from the clash due to his own injury, having yet to return to training with the squad. Slot added: "Alisson hasn't trained with us yet, I will find out today if he can today or start of next week. Very close but we don't take risks.
"We don't want to do that with any player. There's a difference between a keeper and a player, they need to run more. So if the issue with an outfield player is when they are out it is the fitness levels, so there is a different issue with goalkeepers."
Meanwhile, back-up goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili will also be absent from the fixture after picking up a knee problem against Everton last month. Slot said ahead of Liverpool's game against Palace: "No, Giorgi will definitely not be available tomorrow, and not for the upcoming weeks," with Freddie Woodman deputising instead.
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Conor Bradley is not expected to play for the club again this campaign after suffering a knee injury against Arsenal in January, while Wataru Endo is facing a comparable spell out of action after being carried off on a stretcher against Sunderland AFC the following month with an ankle issue.
Hugo Ekitike could also be looking at up to eight months on the treatment table after rupturing his Achilles tendon against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League last month, while Giovanni Leoni has yet to turn out for the club in the Premier League after sustaining an ACL injury on his debut in September.
Carrick also provided an injury update during his own pre-match press conference, addressing the situations of Matheus Cunha and Matthijs de Ligt in particular. The Englishman said: "We're in good shape really.
Arne Slot reacts
Arne Slot will miss a number of players for Sunday's Premier League clash with Man United(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA, Getty Images)
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"Matheus has done a little bit of work, so we're hopeful. We're not sure but we're hopeful. Obviously, Mat is still a little bit further - he's not involved in the game. But other than that, we're in good shape."
Carrick also appeared to gloss over questions regarding Luke Shaw alongside those two players, suggesting the full-back might be in contention. However, Lisandro Martinez will certainly miss the fixture.
The Argentine centre-back is currently serving a three-match ban for pulling Dominic Calvert-Lewin's hair during the Reds' encounter with Leeds United last month, and is ruled out until next week's game against Sunderland as a result.
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