Liverpool XI vs Man Utd: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup and injury latest for Premier League

Liverpool versus Manchester United. A rivalry older than most modern football stories, yet somehow still the most emotional. Every season, every generation, and every new manager inherits the same pressure, the same tension, the same hunger to win. When these two clubs meet, it’s not just football—it’s war on grass. It’s about pride, about legacy, and about reminding the world who owns England. This weekend, the fire returns to Anfield, and the noise will be unbearable.

The Premier League calendar has delivered its first Liverpool versus Manchester United clash of the 2025–26 season, and every headline in England is focused on one man—Arne Slot. The Liverpool manager has become the calm inside a storm. His team has suffered three straight defeats, his star goalkeeper is missing, and yet, he stands in front of the cameras smiling, speaking softly, assuring the world that Liverpool are ready. And maybe, just maybe, he’s right.

The Dutch manager has received two major boosts ahead of this colossal showdown. Ryan Gravenberch and Ibrahima Konate—two names that instantly bring energy and confidence to Liverpool’s dressing room—are back. Slot confirmed it himself with quiet pride: “Ryan Gravenberch is completely fit. Ibou Konate is expected to train today.” For Liverpool fans, that single sentence was worth more than gold.

Gravenberch’s story is one of brilliance mixed with fear. The young midfielder had been substituted at halftime for the Netherlands in their win over Finland after feeling tightness in his hamstring. Social media exploded instantly—some said he’d be out for weeks, others feared it was a tear. But now, with the game against United approaching, the truth is clear. He’s fit. He’s ready. And he’s hungry to make Manchester United pay.

Konate, on the other hand, had been nursing a thigh injury picked up during the 2–1 defeat to Chelsea. He left France’s national team camp early, fueling speculation that he might be sidelined for a long time. But Arne Slot’s Friday update changed everything. The French defender trained again and looked sharp. Liverpool’s defensive backbone—Van Dijk and Konate—will be reunited, and that alone could change the entire rhythm of this match.

Yet, there’s one name missing from the list, and it’s a painful one. Alisson Becker, Liverpool’s No.1, the man who has saved the club countless times, is still out. His hamstring injury has not healed fully, and Slot made it clear—“He will be out this weekend and next week.” It means Alisson will miss not just the Manchester United game, but also the midweek Europa League trip to Eintracht Frankfurt and next weekend’s league clash with Brentford.

That leaves Giorgi Mamardashvili in goal again. The Georgian goalkeeper, who joined Liverpool in the summer, made his Premier League debut before the international break and now faces one of the toughest tests imaginable. Anfield. Manchester United. Millions watching. But if you’ve seen Mamardashvili play, you know he’s fearless. Tall, commanding, and sharp, he’s a man who doesn’t flinch under pressure. He was signed for moments like this.

Liverpool’s three consecutive defeats before the international break still hurt. The team that looked so confident earlier in the season suddenly appeared lost. Their pressing wasn’t sharp, their finishing wasteful, their defending careless. Arsenal overtook them at the top of the Premier League table, and critics began whispering that maybe Slot’s early magic had faded. But football always gives a chance for redemption, and there’s no better way to rise again than to beat Manchester United at Anfield.

Elsewhere in the team, decisions must be made. At left-back, Milos Kerkez has impressed quietly. The Hungarian youngster plays with bravery, energy, and balance, offering the kind of forward runs that make Liverpool’s system work. Andy Robertson, the long-time hero of that position, has looked tired in recent weeks. He’s made a few errors, and Slot could decide it’s time for a small change. Kerkez might start again, giving Robertson a rest.

On the opposite side, there’s more debate. Jeremie Frimpong, Liverpool’s exciting summer signing from Bayer Leverkusen, hasn’t had the start fans expected. With only one Premier League start so far, his adaptation to Slot’s system has been slower than planned. But the international break came at the perfect time for him—he rested, he recovered, and he trained hard. Slot could hand him a chance to start at right-back, freeing Dominik Szoboszlai to return to midfield where he’s most dangerous.

That’s the beauty and pain of Liverpool’s current squad. They have depth, but the balance keeps shifting. Szoboszlai has played everywhere—midfield, right wing, and even as an inverted full-back at times. But the team misses his energy in central areas, where he links up beautifully with Gravenberch. If Frimpong starts, Szoboszlai can push back into midfield alongside his Dutch teammate, creating a strong and fluid partnership.

Further ahead, another name draws attention—Florian Wirtz. The young German playmaker has been quietly adapting to life at Liverpool after his big-money move from Bayer Leverkusen. Some thought he’d need months to adjust to the Premier League, but those who’ve seen him in training say he’s already showing his class. Smooth on the ball, fearless in tight spaces, and always thinking two steps ahead—Wirtz could be Liverpool’s creative key against Manchester United. Slot is expected to start him in the middle of the attacking trio, just behind the striker.

That might mean Alexis Mac Allister drops to the bench for this one. The Argentine midfielder has been solid, but not spectacular. His passing is sharp, but Wirtz brings something extra—imagination. Against United, where spaces are few and pressure is constant, imagination can be the difference between frustration and victory.

Mohamed Salah, of course, needs no debate. He starts. Always. The Egyptian King might not be at his absolute best this season, but even his “slow start” includes goals and assists most wingers can only dream of. Over the international break, he scored twice for Egypt, reminding everyone that he’s still lethal. And when it comes to Manchester United, no one in Premier League history has hurt them more. Thirteen goals and six assists in fifteen appearances—it’s a record that speaks louder than words. When Salah sees that red shirt, he becomes unstoppable.

Then there’s Cody Gakpo. The Dutch forward scored Liverpool’s only goal in their defeat to Chelsea and then went on to shine for his country, contributing to four goals during the international break. He’s in form, confident, and determined. Yet, his place in the starting XI is not guaranteed. Arne Slot has been experimenting with different attacking combinations, especially with new forwards Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak now fully fit and eager to play.

Ekitike, the French striker signed from Paris Saint-Germain, brings flair and unpredictability. He loves running at defenders, drifting wide, and creating chaos. Isak, the Swedish frontman, is calm, clinical, and technically brilliant. Slot could choose to start both in a mixed attack, with Isak leading the line and Ekitike starting on the left. That would leave Gakpo on the bench—a tough decision, but perhaps a necessary one as Liverpool look to add speed and directness to their attack.

Still, Slot might surprise everyone. If Ekitike starts centrally, Isak could be rested, giving Gakpo the chance to play from the left as he did so often last season. Liverpool fans know that when Gakpo is confident, he can change games. His link-up play with Salah is smooth, his movements intelligent, and his finishing deadly. The final decision rests with Slot, who must balance loyalty, form, and tactics.

As the game approaches, one thing is clear—Liverpool will line up in Slot’s trusted 4-2-3-1 formation. Mamardashvili in goal. Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, and Kerkez forming the defensive wall. Szoboszlai and Gravenberch controlling midfield. Salah on the right, Wirtz in the middle, Ekitike on the left, and Isak up front. A team built for control, creativity, and chaos when needed.

But it’s not just about names on paper. It’s about energy. It’s about the reaction after the break. Slot’s men have had two weeks to think, to reflect, to feel the sting of their recent defeats. Three losses in a row hurt the fans, but it hurt the players even more. Anfield has been too quiet lately, but on Sunday, it will roar again. Because nothing wakes Liverpool like the sight of Manchester United walking out of that tunnel.

And while United arrive with belief—led by Ruben Amorim, who has quietly improved them—the pressure sits heavier on Liverpool’s shoulders. They cannot afford a fourth defeat. They cannot let Arsenal pull further away. They cannot lose at Anfield to their oldest enemy. Every player knows it. Every fan feels it.

The storylines are endless. Salah vs. Onana, Van Dijk vs. Sesko, Wirtz vs. Fernandes. Each duel could shape the outcome. Manchester United’s counterattacks are dangerous, their midfield aggressive, but Liverpool’s intensity at home is unmatched.

Anfield is a place of ghosts and glory. It’s where great players write new chapters, and where legends rise again. Arne Slot, still new to this rivalry, will feel the atmosphere the moment he steps out. The singing, the noise, the sea of red scarves—it’s what makes this fixture different from any other. He knows that this is not just another Premier League match. It’s a test of belief, unity, and courage.

And in a strange way, the injury crisis has brought Liverpool closer. Without Alisson, others must lead. Without Leoni and Endo, others must step up. That’s how great teams grow—through pressure. Through pain. Through challenges that look impossible.

Slot has built his Liverpool quietly. No shouting, no drama, no chaos. Just structure, hard work, and belief. Now he gets to see how strong that foundation really is. The return of Gravenberch and Konate is massive, but the spirit of the team will matter even more.

The match will kick off at 4:30 pm BST on Sunday, October 19, 2025. The whole world will be watching. The cameras will zoom in on every handshake, every tackle, every celebration. Sky Sports Main Event will broadcast the game live, but the real emotion will be inside Anfield, where the songs never stop.

Liverpool’s rivals will hope they crumble again. But those who know Anfield understand that this is usually when Liverpool are most dangerous—when the world doubts them, when they’re hurt, when they’re cornered. Because Liverpool don’t just play football. They respond. They roar back.

And as the team walks out on Sunday, led by Van Dijk, the crowd will rise as one. The banners will wave, the drums will beat, and the anthem will echo through the stadium. You’ll hear that familiar sound—“You’ll Never Walk Alone.” It’s more than just words. It’s a promise.

Gravenberch will feel it in his chest. Konate will smile. Salah will close his eyes for a second, remembering all the battles he’s fought. And Mamardashvili, the new goalkeeper, will take a deep breath, ready to defend the Kop End for the first time in the biggest match of his career.

Across the pitch, Manchester United will wait. Confident, focused, ready to spoil the party. But they know too—when Anfield wakes up, strange things happen.

So yes, Liverpool are missing Alisson. Yes, they’ve lost three games in a row. But they have Gravenberch. They have Konate. They have Salah. They have Anfield. And that combination has destroyed teams before.

On paper, it’s just a Premier League game. But to the players, to the managers, to the fans—it’s everything. Because when Liverpool play Manchester United, the world stops. And this Sunday, when the whistle blows, history will begin again. Liverpool versus Manchester United. The rivalry that never dies. And maybe, just maybe, this time it will be Arne Slot’s night.