Gravenberch, Konate, Alisson – Liverpool injury news and return dates ahead of Man Utd clash

Anfield stands on edge once again, the red sea of emotion beginning to rise with every passing hour as Liverpool prepare to face Manchester United in one of the most heated rivalries in world football. Yet this time, there’s a cloud of uncertainty hanging above Arne Slot’s team. Injuries. Fatigue. Pressure. All mixed together like a storm ready to explode on Sunday afternoon under the floodlights of Anfield.

For the Dutch head coach, who only a few months ago arrived to rebuild the post-Klopp era, this is no ordinary week. It’s not just about tactics, possession, or shape — it’s about courage. The past few weeks have been rough, bruising the team’s spirit as they suffered three consecutive defeats to Crystal Palace, Galatasaray, and Chelsea. For a club like Liverpool, where standards are built on pride and passion, that run felt like a wound.

Now, as Manchester United come calling, there’s only one goal — redemption.

But Arne Slot’s biggest headache isn’t the opposition. It’s the long list of players in the medical room. The international break that was supposed to offer rest and reset has instead deepened the worries. His stars scattered across continents, some returning limping, others not returning at all. And in the middle of it all, the Dutchman stands at Kirkby training ground, watching, waiting, calculating who will be fit to fight when the whistle blows.

Ryan Gravenberch, one of Slot’s trusted midfielders, gave everyone a scare during the Netherlands’ 4-0 victory over Finland. He only played 45 minutes before coming off with a hamstring problem. Ronald Koeman, his national coach, confirmed it wasn’t serious, but the concern was clear. A tight hamstring before a crucial Premier League clash could easily turn into weeks on the sidelines if handled poorly. Gravenberch himself tried to calm the storm, insisting it was just a precaution. But for Slot, precaution or not, it’s another question mark on his team sheet.

Then there’s Ibrahima Konate — the towering French defender who has become the heartbeat of Liverpool’s backline beside Virgil van Dijk. Konate’s case is one of mystery and frustration. He was substituted against Chelsea after showing signs of discomfort. Many thought it was minor, but the fact that he still traveled to join the French national team raised eyebrows. Why risk it? He never played for France, not against Azerbaijan, not even a single minute, before quietly returning to Merseyside. The scans will tell the truth, but the sight of him clutching his thigh before the break lingers in Slot’s mind. The team doctor’s words echo in the corridors: “He will be assessed.” Two words that no manager wants to hear before a game of this magnitude.

And then comes the biggest concern — Alisson Becker. The wall of calm, the man who saves Liverpool time and time again. The Brazilian’s injury struck like a dagger during the 1-0 defeat to Galatasaray in the Champions League. When he limped off the pitch, fans feared the worst. Even Slot’s tone after the game was heavy. “It’s never good when a player limps off like that,” he said. That phrase alone said it all.

Alisson missed Brazil’s friendlies against South Korea and Japan, and the updates have been far from promising. “I will be surprised if he’s there for the first game after the international break,” Slot admitted. The Anfield crowd may have to get used to the idea of life without their No. 1, at least for now. A goalkeeper’s injury is different — it doesn’t just affect one player; it shakes the entire defensive rhythm. The defenders trust Alisson’s presence, his command, his voice. Without him, the air around Liverpool’s defence feels… thinner.

Slot knows this. He’s been around long enough to understand that football is played with bodies but won with minds. Every injury takes more than muscle; it takes morale.

The situation deepens with Wataru Endo, Liverpool’s Japanese midfield anchor. The news came quietly from Japan — a national team statement revealing that Endo would miss friendlies against Paraguay and Brazil due to injury. No one at Liverpool has confirmed the full extent, but the silence says enough. For a player who has quickly earned the respect of both fans and teammates with his discipline and strength, his absence could hurt deeply, especially with the kind of midfield battles expected against Manchester United.

Still, there’s a faint hope that Endo could recover in time. “October 19, home against Manchester United” — the target date circled in red on the wall of the medical department. Slot and his staff cling to that possibility, praying that the pain subsides and the scans turn positive.

And while all these cases cause headaches, one story breaks hearts — that of Giovanni Leoni. The young Italian centre-back, still fresh-faced and full of dreams, tore his ACL during a Carabao Cup clash against Southampton last month. His tears told the story before the scans did. A year out. Twelve months of waiting, healing, and hoping. Slot’s voice cracked when he spoke about him: “He’s not in a good place, of course. He tore his ACL which means that he will be out for around a year. Being so young, coming to a new country, playing so well in your first game, it’s very hard to take the positives. But he still has so many years ahead.”

Those words are heavy with empathy. Every manager knows the pain of seeing a young talent’s dream paused. Leoni had shown promise — composure, confidence, courage. Now he watches from the sidelines, his Liverpool journey forced to wait until summer 2026.

For Slot, this is the challenge of leadership. The world sees only the matches — the 90 minutes of intensity, the goals, the tactics. But behind those moments lies the unseen weight of managing human emotions: the worried players, the exhausted medical staff, the fans demanding answers.

Liverpool’s recent slump only intensifies the tension. Three straight defeats have cast shadows over Slot’s early tenure. He came to Anfield with energy and belief, speaking about playing “fearless football,” yet now, the team finds itself desperate for results.

The upcoming clash against Manchester United isn’t just a game — it’s a test of belief. It’s a chance to rewrite the narrative, to silence doubts, to remind everyone that Liverpool still beats with the heart of giants. The Kop will roar, as it always does, but even Anfield magic needs legs to run and lungs to fight.

Inside the AXA Training Centre, the atmosphere is focused but anxious. Slot watches closely as fitness tests take place. Gravenberch jogs gently around the pitch, testing his hamstring. Konate works with the physiotherapist, stretching, frowning, shaking his head slightly. Alisson, dressed in training gear, stands aside, chatting with goalkeeping coach Claudio Taffarel, the two Brazilians sharing quiet words that carry both hope and frustration.

Injuries can break rhythm, but they can also awaken character. Liverpool’s squad is deep, and Slot knows it. Caoimhin Kelleher may have to step in for Alisson once more — a chance for the young Irishman to prove his worth again. Jarell Quansah could feature in defence if Konate doesn’t make it, while Curtis Jones and Alexis Mac Allister might shoulder extra midfield responsibility if Gravenberch or Endo remain unavailable.

For Liverpool fans, this situation feels all too familiar. Every season brings its share of injuries, its share of adversity. But somehow, the club always finds a way to rise. The phrase “You’ll Never Walk Alone” is not just sung; it’s lived.

Slot’s message to his players before training echoes that spirit. “We’ve lost games, but we haven’t lost ourselves,” he tells them. “We’ve had injuries, but we still have our strength. Sunday is not about who is missing; it’s about who stands up.”

It’s the kind of rallying call that touches hearts. Because in Liverpool, football is emotion, not statistics. It’s about moments that turn pain into pride, fear into fight.

As Sunday approaches, the fog of doubt slowly begins to lift. Reports suggest that Gravenberch might recover in time. Endo, too, could feature. Konate remains a maybe, Alisson a no, and Leoni a long wait away. But the essence of Liverpool has never been about individuals — it’s always been about unity

The city itself feels the build-up. Pubs near Anfield hum with nervous conversations. Taxi drivers discuss possible line-ups. Fans from every corner of Merseyside share the same thought: “We can’t lose to United.”

The rivalry between the two clubs runs deeper than football. It’s identity. It’s pride. It’s the clash of history and hunger. And for Arne Slot, it could define his early Liverpool story.

The night before the game, Anfield will stand silent, the floodlights dimmed, the red seats empty — but the ghosts of past battles will whisper through the stands. The spirit of those who have fought in this fixture — Gerrard, Carragher, Torres, and countless others — will hang in the air. And somewhere in that quiet, Arne Slot will stand on the pitch, looking around, feeling the weight of history pressing on his shoulders. He knows that whatever happens with injuries, excuses won’t matter. Only results do. Only courage counts.

By the time Sunday comes, the sirens of Anfield will wail again. The crowd will sing. The banners will rise. And even if Alisson, Konate, or Endo can’t make it, Liverpool will still walk out as one — wounded, perhaps, but never broken. Because that’s what Liverpool do. They fall, they bleed, they suffer — and then, when everyone starts doubting, they rise again.

And as Arne Slot looks down the tunnel, hearing the Kop’s thunder echo through the air, one thing will be clear: it doesn’t matter who’s missing. What matters is who’s ready to fight for the badge. For Liverpool, the injury list may be long, but the heart — the heart is stronger than ever.