Liverpool manager Arne Slot. (Reuters/Jason Cairnduff)
Liverpool return to Premier League action this weekend when they host Manchester United at Anfield in one of the biggest fixtures of the season.
The Reds come back from the international break following three consecutive defeats, and manager Arne Slot will be hoping that a strong performance against their fiercest rivals can inspire a turnaround in form.
The clash between the Merseysiders and the Red Devils is always one of the most-watched games in the Premier League calendar, and nothing short of a confident victory will satisfy the Anfield faithful.
Liverpool have lost just one of their last 14 Premier League meetings with United, and the visitors are winless in their last nine league games at Anfield – so the odds are firmly in favour of the home side.
However, with a poor run of form hanging over the reigning champions and pressure mounting to keep pace with Arsenal in the early title race, there will be plenty of expectation on Liverpool to bounce back with a statement win.
There have been some injury concerns over the break, with Ryan Gravenberch withdrawn from the Netherlands national team after playing 45 minutes against Finland amid fears of a hamstring issue.
Meanwhile, Ibrahima Konaté has also been a worry for the Reds, having been sent back to Merseyside from the France camp after a muscle problem was detected.
Arne Slot addressed the media in his pre-match press conference this morning to provide an update on both players and it was positive news:
“Ryan [Gravenberch] is completely fit,” the Liverpool boss revealed.
“Although we still have to train twice, if you ask me now, he is completely fit.”
“We are in a good place with the Dutch national team. Ronald Koeman could have chosen between Tijani Reijnders or Ryan Gravenberch, so he played them both for 45 minutes.”
“Ibou (Konaté) has come back to us, started his sessions again, and is expected to train with us today.”
Will Ibrahima Konaté Be Fit to Start?
After failing to secure the signing of Crystal Palace captain Marc Guéhi on Deadline Day, Liverpool’s options at centre-back remain limited.
Not only did the collapse of the Guéhi deal leave the Reds short on defensive depth, but new signing Giovanni Leoni also suffered an ACL injury last month, which could rule him out for up to a year.
This has left Slot with few options to rotate, with Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk the only other recognised centre-backs boasting significant Premier League experience.
As a result, there will be high hopes that Konaté will be fit enough to feature in Sunday’s clash at Anfield.
Slot’s comments in his press conference will come as a major boost for his chances, as well as for Gravenberch, who has become an increasingly important player in Liverpool’s midfield.
With that in mind, Liverpool are well placed to get back on track against Man United, a result that could lift morale among both the squad and the supporters after a challenging few weeks.
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