Liverpool are gearing up to host fierce rivals Manchester United in a highly anticipated Premier League clash this Sunday at Anfield. As the new year begins, the Reds are sitting comfortably at the top of the Premier League table, brimming with confidence and form. Their impressive 2025 campaign has them in a strong position to continue their dominance, and they will look to extend their excellent run when they face a struggling Manchester United side.
Liverpool are in pole position to do the double over their bitter rivals, and with United languishing in the bottom half of the table, the Reds will be overwhelming favourites to secure a victory. What will further boost their chances is the relatively short injury list they carry heading into the match. While injuries have impacted some key players, the squad remains in excellent shape overall, giving manager Arne Slot plenty of options to choose from.
In this article, we will dive into the key injuries affecting Liverpool ahead of the game against Manchester United, detailing the players who will be unavailable for the match, the status of those who may feature, and how these absences could influence the match.
Liverpool Injuries Ahead of the Man Utd Clash
Liverpool have enjoyed a successful season so far, with a few key injuries being the only blemish on an otherwise stellar campaign. Despite a couple of setbacks, the club is fortunate that most of their squad is fit and firing ahead of the game against Manchester United. In this section, we will outline the injuries that have impacted the squad and assess their availability for the crucial fixture.
Joe Gomez
Status: Out
Liverpool’s defensive options have been slightly dented by the injury to Joe Gomez, who picked up a hamstring injury during the team’s comprehensive 5-0 victory over West Ham United last weekend. The injury occurred in the 37th minute of the match, forcing Gomez to limp off the pitch and be replaced by young Jarell Quansah.
The loss of Gomez is a significant blow for Liverpool, as the English centre-back has been a reliable figure in the backline this season. Manager Arne Slot confirmed after the match that Gomez would be sidelined for a few weeks, meaning he will not feature against Manchester United on Sunday.
“Joe is of course not in a good place when it comes to his injury. He is out for a few weeks, that’s for sure,” Slot confirmed in his post-match comments.
Gomez’s absence further reduces the defensive options available to Slot, though Liverpool have enough depth to cope with his loss. Nevertheless, his injury means that he will miss the clash against United, and the Reds will have to rely on other options to fill the void in the defense.
Ibrahima Konate
Status: Available
Ibrahima Konate, one of Liverpool’s key defenders, has been absent from the team since late November after picking up a knee injury during their 2-0 win over Real Madrid in the Champions League. Konate’s injury had kept him out of action for several weeks, but there is good news for Liverpool fans as the French centre-back is now nearing a return to full fitness.
Arne Slot confirmed that Konate returned to full team training ahead of the Manchester United match and could be available for selection. However, Slot was cautious in his remarks, stating that while Konate had made progress, it would depend on how he reacts to training whether he is included in the starting lineup or matchday squad.
“Ibou [Ibrahima Konate] has trained with us fully, and we’ll see how he responds,” Slot said. “He could be involved in some capacity, but we’ll have to assess him over the next few days to make a final decision.”
Given that Konate has been out for an extended period, it remains to be seen whether he will start against Manchester United, but it is encouraging for Liverpool that he is back in training and could provide a much-needed boost to the defensive ranks.
Conor Bradley
Status: Available
Conor Bradley, Liverpool’s talented young right-back, has also been recovering from injury after suffering a hamstring issue during the Champions League victory over Real Madrid. Like Konate, Bradley has been sidelined for a few weeks, but there is optimism that he could be back in action for the crucial clash against United.
Bradley had been an important part of Liverpool’s squad before his injury, contributing both defensively and going forward. His pace and attacking instincts on the right side are valuable assets to Slot’s tactical setup. The manager confirmed in his pre-match press conference that Bradley has returned to full fitness and would train with the team on Friday, ahead of the Sunday fixture.
“Conor and Ibou will train with us today [Friday] for the first time,” Slot said. “So, I am curious to see how they handle the team sessions. They’ve worked hard to get back to this point, but now it’s about how they perform in team training.”
With Bradley and Konate both fit again, Liverpool will be able to call upon more experienced players as they face Manchester United. Whether Bradley will be immediately reinstated into the starting lineup remains to be seen, but his return provides Slot with more options for the match.
Liverpool Players Missing for Man Utd Clash
| Player | Status |
|---|---|
| Joe Gomez | Out |
| Ibrahima Konate | Available |
| Conor Bradley | Available |
The Impact of These Injuries on Liverpool
While Joe Gomez’s injury is a blow to Liverpool’s depth, the Reds remain in a strong position ahead of the clash against Manchester United. The fact that Ibrahima Konate and Conor Bradley have returned to full fitness significantly strengthens the squad, providing Arne Slot with more options in both defense and the right-back position.
Gomez’s absence does limit the available choices in central defense, but Liverpool still have plenty of capable alternatives. Konate’s potential return could offset some of this loss, though the French defender’s fitness will be a key factor in deciding whether he starts against Manchester United.
Furthermore, Conor Bradley’s return could also give Slot more flexibility in terms of formation. If he feels that Bradley is ready, he could opt to include him in the squad, either as a starter or an option off the bench. His inclusion would provide an additional attacking threat down the right flank, which could be crucial in breaking down United’s defense.
Overall, Liverpool’s injury situation is relatively minor compared to many of their Premier League rivals, and Slot has a largely fit squad to choose from for the United game. While Gomez’s absence may be felt in terms of depth, the return of Konate and Bradley is a welcome boost for the team, and the Reds will head into the game with a strong sense of confidence.
Conclusion
Liverpool are in a strong position heading into their Premier League clash with Manchester United this Sunday, and while there are a few key injuries to contend with, the squad remains largely intact. Joe Gomez’s hamstring injury is the only notable absence for the Reds, but with Ibrahima Konate and Conor Bradley both returning to fitness, manager Arne Slot has more than enough options to field a competitive side.
With the Reds sitting at the top of the Premier League table and Manchester United struggling in the lower half, Liverpool will be looking to make a statement in this fixture. The short injury list gives them a significant advantage, and Arne Slot will be hoping that his team can continue their excellent form as they look to do the double over their bitter rivals.
Despite the absence of Gomez, Liverpool are well-equipped to take on Manchester United, and with the likes of Konate and Bradley available, they will be eager to extend their lead at the top of the table. The injury situation is far from ideal, but it is one that Liverpool can manage effectively, and they will head into the match as strong favourites.
