Liverpool host Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon, with both sides in desperate need of a win and a record signing in the spotlight
Liverpool are set to face bitter rivals Manchester United at Anfield in a high-profile Premier League showdown on Sunday.
Despite a strong start to the season, Liverpool’s recent form has been disappointing, with two consecutive losses in the top flight seeing the champions slip down to second, a point behind Arsenal. United meanwhile have been abject under Ruben Amorim, with his flops slumped 10th in the table.
This already heated clash – the biggest in English football between the most successful club in the country Liverpool and the second United – now carries even more weight as both teams need the points. One player who has consistently shone in this fixture is legendary winger Mohamed Salah.
Despite a lacklustre start to the new season, failing to replicate his form from the previous campaign, the Egyptian King can boast an impressive record of 23 goals in 17 matches against United, giving him confidence ahead of the game. Here’s all the latest news from Anfield.
‘No more excuses’ for Alexander Isak
Liverpool legend John Aldridge has declared there are “no more excuses” for record signing Alexander Isak, reports the Mirror.
Isak made a dramatic move from Newcastle United during the summer transfer window, forcing his way out of the north east club after a lengthy period of speculation. The hefty £125m price tag that came with his transfer has piled on the pressure.
He hasn’t exactly made a flying start, with Frenchman Hugo Ekitike considerably outshining him so far. Someone perfectly positioned to discuss a striker’s expectations is Aldridge – amongst the most lethal marksmen in English football history.
Writing in his Liverpool Echo column, he commented: “During my playing days, people used to talk of needing a month or so to get up to match fitness over the summer and Isak will have had about six or seven weeks by the time Manchester United arrive at Anfield on Sunday afternoon.
“Okay, the games he has been involved in for Liverpool so far have all had something riding on them because they were not friendly fixtures, but it feels like the international break for Sweden will have helped him get fitter at club level.
“Now is the time for him to deliver. No more ‘excuses’. No more ‘explanations’. It’s United up next and there is no better time or team to show why you are one of the main men now at a club the size of Liverpool.”
Liverpool could be missing five players against United
Arne Slot will be anxiously monitoring the fitness of five players ahead of the clash with Amorim’s Red Devils.
Ibrahima Konate represents one of the latest injury worries. He was substituted against Chelsea before France confirmed he had returned to Liverpool during the international break due to the knock.
He is expected to undergo a late fitness test before taking on Bruno Fernandes and his teammates. A defensive stalwart in recent seasons, Konate is another player who has struggled to hit his usual standards this campaign.
There are two more serious injury concerns. Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson faces several weeks on the sidelines with a hamstring issue, meaning Giorgi Mamardashvili will deputise between the sticks.
Recent arrival Giovanni Leoni sustained a devastating knee injury last month and will be sidelined for 12 months.
Midfielder Wataru Endo, who has proved to be an astute signing in recent seasons, was pulled from the Japan squad at the eleventh hour before the international break due to an unspecified injury.
Japan’s boss Moriyasu Hajime explained: “I was thinking about whether to call him up until the very last minute. Asking him to come from Europe again would be a burden for him, so I thought that the current number would be enough.”
Ryan Gravenberch rounds out this injury list, having been substituted at the interval during Netherlands’ clash with Finland. Ronald Koeman confirmed it was a minor hamstring niggle, with Gravenberch later revealing it was partially fitness-related and that he is “feeling good”.
Cody Gakpo on Isak’s predicament
Liverpool striker Cody Gakpo believes it is regrettable that new signing Isak couldn’t enjoy a complete pre-season. There’s been plenty of discussion about Isak’s fitness since his switch to Liverpool, and the talisman is yet to complete a full match in his new kit.
He was training separately from the first team at Newcastle whilst the entire transfer saga played out.
Speaking to Premier League Productions, Gakpo commented: “I think it’s always been difficult when new players come in to adapt to the team. But I think now when we have a lot of new players, sometimes it’s difficult when you change the team.
“We lost also a lot of players who were here [for] a long time. We were together for a few good years now. So, some players left, Lucho [Luis Diaz] left, Darwin [Nunez] left, Jarell [Quansah] left and Harvey [Elliott] left as well. Then you have to replace them and new players come in and you need to make it fit. I think that’s going well.
“We try to get to know each other every day better and better again. It’s also a little unfortunate with Alex [Isak], who didn’t really have a pre-season. It’s all these things together – but I think we will find a way forward.”