Liverpool boss Arne Slot battles injury clock ahead of Man Utd clash

The Reds, who have lost three games in a row for the first time under Slot, are desperate for a response after league defeats to Crystal Palace and Chelsea, followed by a narrow 1–0 loss away to Galatasaray in the Champions League.

But with several key players facing fitness concerns, the Dutchman's plans for the visit of their fiercest rivals have been severely disrupted.

Goalkeeper Alisson Becker remains a major doubt after limping off against Galatasaray with a hamstring problem. The Brazilian has missed his country's friendlies against South Korea and Japan, with Slot admitting the situation was worrying. "It depends on how fast the recovery goes," he said before the Chelsea match. "I will be surprised if he will be there for the first game after the international break." Alisson is now targeting a return later in October.

Defender Ibrahima Konate is also in a race against time after suffering a quad injury during the defeat to Chelsea. The France international reported for national duty but did not play in their 3–0 win over Azerbaijan before returning early to Merseyside for further assessment. His potential return date remains unclear.

Midfielder Ryan Gravenberch could offer brighter news after coming off at half-time during the Netherlands' 4–0 win over Finland. He described the move as a "precautionary measure" and is expected to be fit for the United clash.

Meanwhile, Wataru Endo sat out Japan's Kirin Challenge Cup matches against Paraguay and Brazil due to a minor injury. The Japan Football Association confirmed his absence, and although details of the knock have not been disclosed, he could return in time for the weekend.

However, the most severe setback involves teenage defender Giovanni Leoni, who tore his ACL on his debut in the League Cup win over Southampton and is only expected to return in 2026. Slot offered sympathy for the young Italian, saying: "He tore his ACL which means that he will be out for around a year. Being so young and playing so well in your first game, it's very hard to take the positives. But he has many years ahead of him once he recovers."

With key positions under strain, Slot may be forced to rely on Liverpool's younger players and tactical versatility to get through one of their toughest tests of the season.