Liverpool XI vs Manchester United: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup and injury latest for Premier League | OneFootball

Arne Slot hoping goalkeeper crisis eases as resurgent Reds head to Old Trafford

Liverpool will hope that Alisson Becker is fit to return against Manchester United this weekend, though Mohamed Salah definitely misses out.

First-choice goalkeeper Alisson has not played for the Reds since the 4-0 Champions League last-16 second-leg win over Galatasaray on March 18, missing the last seven matches across all competitions due to a latest hamstring injury.

The Brazilian international returned to training last week and was said by manager Arne Slot to be close to playing against Crystal Palace, though ended up not being involved in the 3-1 victory at Anfield.

Slot would have no issue in starting Woodman - who was backed up by youngster Armin Pecsi - again in a high-profile showdown with arch-rivals United at Old Trafford, though Alisson will surely come into the lineup if he can prove his fitness in time.

One player who will definitely miss the game is Salah, who was withdrawn after an hour against Palace due to his own hamstring injury amid fears that he may now have played his final game for Liverpool before he leaves on a free transfer this summer with only four matches left to play this season.

However, the club confirmed on Wednesday that the Egyptian’s issue is only minor and that he is expected to feature again before the end of the campaign.

Return: Liverpool will hope to have Alisson Becker back in goal against Manchester United

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Hugo Ekitike is a long-term absentee and will miss the World Cup after undergoing surgery on a ruptured Achilles tendon sustained against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League earlier this month, while Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni are also unavailable.

Wataru Endo is back in training after an ankle injury that has kept him out since February and, like Salah, he is expected to play again this season. However, his return will not be this weekend.

Curtis Jones has fared well at right-back for Liverpool of late, but Joe Gomez returned off the bench against Palace and could start here, while Jeremie Frimpong is also fit.

Left-back Robertson impressed again with a goal and could keep Milos Kerkez as a substitute, while Ibrahima Konate and captain Virgil van Dijk will continue as the central defensive pairing.

Ryan Gravenberch got a rest for 80 minutes in the win over Palace, but should return against United to resume his midfield partnership with Alexis Mac Allister, who got his own breather against Everton.

Salah’s absence could see the versatile Dominik Szoboszlai pushed further forward after a couple of weeks in the engine room, with Florian Wirtz and Cody Gakpo also supporting lone striker Alexander Isak, who registered his first goal since December last time out having recently returned from a broken leg.

But Slot has plenty of alternative options available to him, including teenage starlet Rio Ngumoha and Federico Chiesa. Frimpong has played on the right wing for Liverpool this season and replaced Salah against Palace.

Predicted Liverpool XI (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Jones, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Gakpo; Isak

Doubt: Alisson