Arne Slot Handed Double Injury Boost Ahead of Manchester United Clash — But One Star Remains Sidelined
Question mark: Will Florian Wirtz feature?
Liverpool have received a timely double injury boost as both Ryan Gravenberch and Ibrahima Konaté are expected to be declared fit for Sunday’s Premier League showdown with Manchester United.
Gravenberch was withdrawn at half-time during the Netherlands’ win over Finland last weekend after feeling tightness in his hamstring, though the substitution was understood to be precautionary.
Konaté, meanwhile, has been managing a thigh issue picked up during Liverpool’s 2–1 defeat to Chelsea two weeks ago. The French defender — one of only three senior centre-backs available to Arne Slot — was forced to leave international duty early for treatment.
Speaking on Friday, Slot confirmed that Gravenberch is now “completely fit,” while Konaté was “expected to train” later that day, raising hopes that both will be available for selection at Anfield.
The news comes as a major boost for the Reds, who endured a run of three consecutive losses before the international break — a slump that saw Arsenal overtake them at the top of the Premier League table.
However, first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker remains unavailable. Slot revealed that the Brazilian will miss “this weekend and next week” as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury, ruling him out of the clashes with Manchester United, Eintracht Frankfurt, and likely Brentford.
In his absence, Giorgi Mamardashvili will retain the No.1 spot after making his Premier League debut before the break.
Elsewhere in defence, Milos Kerkez is pushing to keep his place at left-back after a string of solid performances, with Andy Robertson looking fatigued in recent outings. On the right, Slot faces a selection dilemma.
Big-money summer signing Jeremie Frimpong has started just once in the league so far, often losing out to Conor Bradley or even Dominik Szoboszlai, who has filled in defensively when needed. Yet after a quiet international window, Frimpong could be handed a fresh start, allowing Szoboszlai to shift back into his natural midfield role alongside Gravenberch.
In attack, Florian Wirtz is tipped to start in the central attacking midfield position, which could see Alexis Mac Allister drop to the bench. Mohamed Salah remains a guaranteed starter on the right after scoring twice for Egypt during the international break. The forward boasts a remarkable record against Manchester United, with 13 goals and six assists in just 15 Premier League appearances — more than any other player in history against the Red Devils.
Cody Gakpo, who contributed four goal involvements for the Netherlands and scored Liverpool’s only goal in the Chelsea defeat, may feel unlucky if he’s left out.
Even so, Slot may look to further experiment with his new-look front line by fielding both Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak together. Ekitike could start on the left if Isak leads the line, though a reversal of roles — with Ekitike through the middle and Isak rested — could see Gakpo retain his place.
Predicted Liverpool XI (4-2-3-1):
Mamardashvili; Frimpong, Konaté, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Salah, Wirtz, Ekitike; Isak.