Arne Slot has provided a key Liverpool injury update ahead of Sunday’s clash with Manchester United,
Arne Slot will lead Liverpool into his third North West derby when Manchester United visit Anfield on Sunday and the Dutchman has confirmed a mixed injury update for his side.
The Reds head coach revealed that two key players are back fit for the clash, while one major name remains sidelined.
Konate’s fitness had been a concern after he withdrew from the France national team midway through the international break. The defender had been struggling with the aftereffects of a quad injury sustained in Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat at Chelsea before the break.
There were fears the 25-year-old would be sidelined for the visit of Manchester United, but Slot revealed that Konate has already resumed training with the squad a major boost ahead of the derby.
“Ibou has come back to us, started his sessions again, and expected to train with us today,” Slot said.
His return comes at a crucial time for Liverpool, with Joe Gomez having been on standby to deputise at centre-back. Konate’s presence will provide added stability to a defence that has been inconsistent in recent weeks.
While Konate’s return offers encouragement, Liverpool will still be without their influential goalkeeper Alisson Becker, who continues his recovery from a hamstring injury sustained during the Champions League defeat to Galatasaray earlier this month.
The Brazilian missed Liverpool’s last Premier League outing against Chelsea and subsequently pulled out of international duty with Brazil. Slot confirmed that Alisson is not yet ready to rejoin training and will miss at least the next three fixtures.
“He’s not training with us. He’s out,” Slot explained.
“Like I always say it’s so difficult to say, because the end phase of rehab always can give you positives or negatives.
But he will not play at the weekend and also not next week.”
That update rules Alisson out of Sunday’s clash with United, as well as the midweek Champions League tie against Eintracht Frankfurt and next weekend’s trip to Brentford. The current expectation is that the 32-year-old will not return until after the upcoming November international break.
In his absence, summer signing Giorgi Mamardashvili is set to continue in goal. The Georgian keeper impressed in spells earlier in the season but now faces his biggest test yet in front of the Anfield crowd.
Slot also offered reassurance over Ryan Gravenberch, who caused concern after being substituted at half-time during the Netherlands’ 4-0 win over Finland. Initial reports suggested the midfielder had felt some muscle tightness, but Slot confirmed the change was only precautionary.
“Ryan is completely fit,” he told reporters. “Although we still have to train twice, but if you ask me now he’s completely fit.”
The Liverpool manager also explained the reasoning behind Gravenberch’s limited involvement for the national team, praising how Ronald Koeman managed his workload during the international break.
“We are in a good place with the Dutch national team, if Ronald Koeman can make a decision either to play Tijjani Reijnders or Ryan Gravenberch. So he played them both 45 minutes.”
Gravenberch’s availability will be welcome news for Slot, particularly with Liverpool looking to regain control in midfield after recent defeats. The Dutchman is expected to feature prominently against Manchester United, potentially alongside Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai.
Elsewhere, Liverpool remain without several long-term absentees. Giovanni Leoni continues his recovery from a serious ACL injury, while Stefan Bajcetic and Jayden Danns are sidelined with hamstring problems. Slot did not provide an update on Wataru Endo, who missed Japan’s friendlies against Paraguay and Brazil due to a minor hamstring issue.
Despite the absences, Slot insisted that the overall picture is improving and that Liverpool will approach Sunday’s game in a stronger position than before the break.
The Liverpool boss will now hope his side can respond to recent setbacks with a commanding display against their fiercest rivals. With Konate and Gravenberch both returning, and Anfield behind them, the Reds have the chance to reignite their season and extend Slot’s unbeaten record against Manchester United.
“We’ve had some difficult results, but this is the perfect game to show our reaction,” Slot said. “The players know what this fixture means. We’ll be ready.”
