Liverpool’s dressing room has been filled with both relief and tension this week as Arne Slot’s men prepare for their biggest game yet — the showdown against Manchester United at Anfield. The international break is over, the focus is back on the Premier League, and every whisper coming out of Kirkby training ground points to one thing: Liverpool’s injury list is finally beginning to clear up. But just like everything with this team, it’s never simple. Some are back, some are almost back, and some still remain uncertain.
Ryan Gravenberch, Ibrahima Konate, Alisson Becker, Wataru Endo, and young Mateusz Musialowski have all been subjects of updates, rumours, and cautious optimism as fans anxiously count the days to kickoff. For Slot, every name matters. Every return could change the balance of a team that’s been fighting to maintain rhythm through injuries and exhaustion.
Let’s start with Ryan Gravenberch — the Dutch midfielder who has quietly become one of the most important pieces in Slot’s system. His absence in recent games left a clear gap in midfield energy and creativity. Before the break, Gravenberch had been nursing a slight knock that forced him out of Netherlands duty. But this week, at the AXA Training Centre, he returned to full team training. His movements looked sharp, his body language confident, and sources close to the club say he’s “in contention” to feature against Manchester United.
Slot loves Gravenberch’s dynamism. The way he carries the ball from deep, gliding through lines, opens up space for Liverpool’s attackers. Having him available could be massive — especially against a Manchester United side that will try to crowd the midfield and cut off Liverpool’s supply lines. Gravenberch brings something different: calmness, strength, and an ability to turn pressure into opportunity.
Then there’s Ibrahima Konate — the towering defender who has become Virgil van Dijk’s most trusted partner. Liverpool have been extra cautious with him this season. Every time he looks ready, a small setback seems to follow. But this time feels different. Konate trained fully on Thursday and Friday without discomfort, which means he’s likely to start. Slot knows that United’s counter-attack, led by Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund, will test his defence, and having Konate’s speed and strength could be the difference between chaos and control.
Alisson Becker’s story is perhaps the most emotional one. The Brazilian goalkeeper, who has been dealing with a slight hamstring issue, has finally been declared fit again. Liverpool have managed well in his absence with Caoimhin Kelleher stepping up, but there’s something about Alisson’s presence that changes the mood of the entire back line. He brings calm, leadership, and that quiet confidence that every great team needs.
Related Posts:
During training, Alisson was his usual self — diving, laughing, commanding. Slot will not want to take any risks, but if there’s one player who knows his body well, it’s Alisson. If he gives the green light, he will be between the posts when the whistle blows on Sunday.
Wataru Endo’s situation is slightly different. The Japanese midfielder returned late from international duty, playing heavy minutes for his country. The coaching staff have been monitoring his fatigue levels closely. Slot appreciates Endo’s discipline and tactical intelligence, but the physical intensity of the Premier League means the manager may choose to start him from the bench and bring him on later in the game if needed.
Then there’s Stefan Bajcetic, the youngster fans have been desperate to see back in action. After months of frustration and setbacks, he is finally edging closer to full fitness. Slot confirmed last week that Bajcetic has started light training again, though he won’t be ready for the United game. But seeing him on the grass again, smiling and kicking the ball, felt like a victory of its own.
As for Ben Doak and Conor Bradley, both are still in recovery mode. The club’s medical staff don’t want to rush them. With such a packed fixture list ahead — including games in Europe and the League Cup — Slot knows he’ll need every player fit and ready for rotation.
The build-up to this game has been filled with talk about injuries, tactics, and fatigue, but inside Anfield, there’s also a growing sense of unity. The players returning have brought fresh energy. The mood in training has lifted. The sound of laughter and shouting echoed through the sessions this week — a sign that the team spirit is still alive and strong.
Arne Slot, calm as ever, spoke to the press with measured confidence. He acknowledged the injury issues but made it clear that Liverpool’s focus is on solutions, not excuses. “We have had some challenges, yes,” he said, “but this is Liverpool. We always find a way.”
Slot knows the importance of momentum. Before the international break, Liverpool had dropped points in matches they should have won. A victory over Manchester United wouldn’t just be about bragging rights — it could reignite belief. The Dutch coach has been working tirelessly on balance, especially with his full-backs pushing high and midfielders rotating positions. The return of Gravenberch and Konate gives him flexibility again.
For all the tactical talk, there’s also the emotional weight of this fixture. Liverpool versus Manchester United at Anfield is never just a football match. It’s history, pride, noise, and raw passion colliding under the floodlights. The fans demand energy, aggression, and heart. And with players returning to fitness, Slot finally has the tools to give them that.
During training this week, Gravenberch looked particularly lively in small-sided drills, linking well with Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister. His bursts through midfield brought applause from coaches. Alisson, meanwhile, made several sharp saves, shouting instructions like the leader he is. Konate and Van Dijk trained side by side, joking in French, their chemistry unshaken.
Liverpool’s medical team deserves credit too. They’ve managed this injury wave carefully, ensuring no player is rushed back too early. The lessons from last season — when fatigue hit hard after the World Cup — are being applied wisely. Slot has emphasized recovery as much as tactics, ensuring every player feels valued and protected.
Still, it’s not all perfect. Some question marks remain. Will Gravenberch start, or will Slot ease him in from the bench? Will Alisson’s hamstring hold up under pressure? Can Konate handle 90 minutes of intensity? These are the decisions that could decide the game.
But Slot has been clear: he trusts his squad. Every player, whether starting or not, has a role. And that message has united the dressing room. Senior figures like Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah have been rallying the group, reminding them what these games mean. Salah, now one of the few veterans from Klopp’s era, has taken younger players under his wing. He knows Anfield will be electric on Sunday.
Liverpool’s opponents, Manchester United, come into the match wounded but dangerous. Erik ten Hag’s side have struggled with inconsistency, but they’ll see this game as a chance to reset their season. That makes them unpredictable. Slot is aware of that. His plan will be to control the tempo, dominate possession, and use the home crowd to suffocate United early.
And that’s where fitness matters most. A fully fit Liverpool presses differently — faster, smarter, and harder. With Konate back, the defensive line can play higher. With Gravenberch available, transitions become smoother. And with Alisson commanding from the back, the confidence flows through the team.
As kickoff approaches, the city itself feels the tension. The flags, the chants, the buzz in the pubs — it’s all building. Anfield is ready for a classic. And behind the scenes, Slot’s main focus is simple: make sure every returning player feels ready to fight.
Injuries may have slowed Liverpool down earlier this season, but they’ve also built resilience. Every setback has forced Slot to adapt, experiment, and grow. Now, as key names return, that hard-earned depth could pay off.
By Sunday evening, the story could go two ways. Either Liverpool celebrate a statement win powered by returning heroes, or questions remain about rhythm and sharpness. But one thing is sure — for the first time in weeks, the Reds will line up with something close to their strongest eleven.
The return of Alisson, Konate, and Gravenberch isn’t just good news — it’s a signal. A reminder that Liverpool are still in this fight. That the season’s story is far from over. That when the lights shine on Anfield and the anthem echoes, this team, wounded or not, still believes.
As Slot gathers his players in the dressing room before kickoff, he’ll look around and see faces that have fought to be here — through pain, doubt, and long recovery sessions. And in that moment, the message will be simple: this is Liverpool, and no injury can break their spirit.
So as the crowd roars and the game begins, all eyes will be on those returning Reds — the keeper, the defender, the midfielder — each one carrying a piece of the club’s hope. Because sometimes, the greatest comebacks don’t start with goals. They start with the sound of boots returning to the pitch, the feeling of belonging again, and the promise that the best is yet to come.
