Liverpool Could Be Without Four Players for Man United as Anxious Wait Continues
Arne Slot is awaiting updates on the fitness of several key Liverpool players ahead of their Premier League clash against Manchester United.
The Reds return to action on Sunday afternoon in a highly anticipated encounter against their fierce North West rivals.
Slot will also have to keep in mind that four of his players—Konate, Ryan Gravenberch, Cody Gakpo, and Darwin Nunez—are just one booking away from serving a one-match suspension. This match marks Liverpool’s final game before the 19-match threshold for yellow card amnesty comes into effect.
Ibrahima Konate has been sidelined since sustaining a knee injury in the closing stages of Liverpool’s Champions League victory over Real Madrid at Anfield over a month ago.
The injury occurred after a heavy challenge from Real substitute Endrick. As a result, Konate has missed eight matches, although Arne Slot suggested last week that the French defender might resume team training in time for the clash against Manchester United.
The potential return of Konate would be particularly significant given Joe Gomez is set for a spell on the sidelines after suffering a hamstring injury during the first half of Liverpool’s emphatic 5-0 win over West Ham United.
However, even if fit, Konate is expected to start on the bench, with Jarell Quansah likely to partner Virgil van Dijk in central defence.
Conor Bradley has also been unavailable since the victory over Real Madrid after picking up a hamstring injury in the final stages of that match. Like Konate, there remains a possibility that Bradley could make a return to training before the weekend fixture.
Federico Chiesa, meanwhile, was absent from the squad during the win over West Ham despite being named on the bench for Liverpool’s 3-1 triumph over Leicester City. Slot later clarified that Chiesa had stayed on Merseyside to focus on improving his sharpness and match intensity.
The Italian forward, who joined from Juventus in the summer, has only managed four appearances so far this season. He had also prepare for their clash with Manchester United, Arne Slot remains cautious about the disciplinary status of Konate, Ryan Gravenberch, Cody Gakpo, and Darwin Nunez.
A booking for any of these players would result in a suspension, making Sunday’s game particularly significant with the yellow card amnesty looming.
In other news, Liverpool’s Stance on Making January Signings to Help Arne Slot Win the League Revealed
