Liverpool Injury Update: Latest on Ibrahima Konaté, Alisson Becker, Wataru Endo and Giovanni Leoni Ahead of Manchester United Clash
Liverpool are battling a series of fitness setbacks ahead of their crucial Premier League showdown with Manchester United at Anfield this weekend.
The Reds — who began the season in perfect form with five straight league wins — have stumbled in recent weeks, suffering back-to-back defeats to Crystal Palace and Chelsea, followed by a 1-0 loss to Galatasaray in the Champions League. It marks the first time under Arne Slot that Liverpool have lost three consecutive matches across all competitions.
With the international break drawing to a close, Slot will be desperate to have his key players fit and available as his side look to reignite their campaign. However, recent injury concerns have left the manager with several major doubts ahead of the United clash.
Here’s the latest on the Reds’ injury situation:
Ibrahima Konaté
Konaté was forced off during Liverpool’s defeat to Chelsea, with Slot later confirming the substitution was injury-related. The French defender initially reported a quadriceps issue but still joined up with the France national team — a promising sign at first.
However, Konaté was withdrawn from the squad on Saturday after failing to feature in France’s 3-0 win over Azerbaijan. He has since returned to Merseyside for further assessment to determine whether he can be fit in time for the United match.
Expected return date: Unknown
Alisson Becker
Liverpool’s No.1 missed Brazil’s recent win over South Korea and will sit out their upcoming friendly with Japan. Slot has admitted growing concern over the goalkeeper’s availability for the upcoming fixtures, suggesting Alisson could face a six-week layoff.
Before the Chelsea game, Slot hinted that the Brazilian would not feature immediately after the international break:
“The speed of recovery will determine his return,” he said. “I would be surprised if he’s available for our first game after the break. It’s hard to give an exact timeframe, but he’ll definitely miss Brazil’s matches and our next one.”
Expected return date: Late October
Wataru Endo
Endo was forced to withdraw from Japan’s squad for the October friendlies against Paraguay and Brazil due to an unspecified injury. The Japanese Football Association confirmed his absence but did not provide details about the nature or extent of the problem.
With limited information available, it remains unclear when the midfielder will return to action.
Expected return date: Unknown
Giovanni Leoni
Young defender Giovanni Leoni faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a serious ACL injury during his senior debut in the Carabao Cup win over Southampton. The 18-year-old landed awkwardly following a challenge late in the game and was stretchered off the field.
Subsequent scans confirmed a torn anterior cruciate ligament, ruling him out for approximately 12 months.
Slot expressed sympathy for the teenager’s situation:
“He’s in a difficult place. It’s a serious injury that will keep him out for about a year. For someone so young and far from home, it’s a tough moment, but he has many years ahead once he recovers.”
Expected return date: Late 2026
Liverpool fans will be hoping for positive updates in the coming days, as Slot’s squad continues to be tested by injuries and fatigue ahead of one of the season’s biggest fixtures.
