The two coaches will face off for the second time. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
Liverpool will be absolutely desperate to get back to winning ways when they welcome arch-rivals Manchester United to Anfield on Sunday.
The international break potentially couldn’t have come at a better time for Arne Slot and his men, as they entered the fortnight on the back of three consecutive losses in all competitions.
Initially, they were dealt their first loss of the campaign in the dying embers of their Premier League clash with Crystal Palace, before they then slumped to a 1-0 Champions League defeat away to Galatasaray just three days later.
In Liverpool’s last outing before club action hit pause, they were overturned 2-1 – again via a last-gasp winner from the opposition – at Stamford Bridge.
They consequently dropped down to second place in the table and are now a point behind leaders Arsenal.
Liverpool team news before hosting United
In regards to Slot’s options in the build-up to the encounter, he had been sweating over the conditions of both Ibrahima Konate and Ryan Gravenberch.
The former was forced off in the second half against Chelsea and, despite travelling to join up with his France teammates, did not feature for his nation and was sent home prematurely from camp.
Then, last Sunday, Gravenberch was withdrawn at the interval of the Netherlands’ 4-0 hammering of Finland, being replaced by Manchester City’s Tijjani Reijnders for the second half.
Ronald Koeman confirmed post-match that the midfielder had felt an issue in his hamstring, prompting the coach to make the substitution and avoid any further damage.
Yet, when addressing the media today, Slot verified that both players are in line to make the matchday squad on Sunday afternoon. However, he will be without trusted shot-stopper Alisson Becker.
🚨⚠️ Arne Slot: “Alisson will not be available this week and also next week”.
“Ibrahima Konate will train today, whilst Ryan Gravenberch is completely fit”. ✅ pic.twitter.com/U8xc6hTi7S
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 17, 2025
Pundit predictions for LFC vs United
In the meantime, both Paul Merson and United legend Roy Keane have anticipated the Red Devils will endure their fourth Premier League loss of the term on Merseyside.
“I don’t think Liverpool will lose at home, they will snap out of this run. Manchester United will be lucky if they can walk away with something from Anfield,” said Merson in his SportsKeeda column, predicting a 2-0 win for the home side.
Keane, on the other hand, told The Overlap panel: “I’m going 3-1 to Liverpool.”
Footage courtesy of The Overlap.
