Liverpool vs. Manchester United: Key Decisions for Manager Arne Slot
As Liverpool prepares for their highly anticipated clash against Manchester United this Sunday, manager Arne Slot faces crucial lineup decisions. Unfortunately for the Reds, they will be without star goalkeeper Alisson Becker, who is sidelined with a hamstring injury sustained during their recent 1-0 defeat to Galatasaray in the Champions League.
Adding to Slot’s challenges is the injury status of defender Ibrahima Konate. He picked up a thigh injury during Liverpool’s 2-1 loss to Chelsea prior to the international break. Although Konate joined the France national team, he did not participate in their first match and has since returned to Merseyside. With Giovanni Leoni out for an extended period, Slot may have only two fit senior center-backs available: captain Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez.
On a brighter note, Liverpool’s midfielders Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai enjoyed successful international breaks. Mac Allister netted two goals in Argentina’s impressive 6-0 victory over Puerto Rico, while Szoboszlai scored a dramatic equalizer for Hungary against Portugal. For Mac Allister, these performances are a much-needed confidence boost, especially after a slow start following last season’s title-winning campaign.
Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, and Ryan Gravenberch have been Slot’s preferred midfield trio, and they were all included in the starting lineup for the recent loss to Chelsea. However, £116 million summer signing Florian Wirtz made a significant impact off the bench at Stamford Bridge, raising questions about his potential role in the upcoming match against the Red Devils.
Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy believes Mac Allister should make way for Wirtz in the starting XI, suggesting that Curtis Jones should also be benched. "Right now, I would go with Szoboszlai and Gravenberch in the midfield," Murphy stated, emphasizing their athleticism and ability to cover ground. "Wirtz should play ahead of them, allowing Szoboszlai to assist defensively when Mohamed Salah stays high."
Murphy acknowledges Mac Allister’s talent but notes that missing pre-season has impacted his performance. "You can see he’s not at the same physical level as last season, which is inevitable after missing pre-season," Murphy explained. "I believe Wirtz will find his form soon; he just needs to play through this challenging phase."
Despite not yet registering a goal or assist since joining Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen, Wirtz’s performances have sparked debate among fans and pundits. Murphy urges supporters to remain patient, highlighting that the pressure on Wirtz, given his hefty price tag, is understandably high. "We need to give him time to settle in," he said. "If he has a standout moment, like Szoboszlai did against Arsenal, the narrative will change."
As Liverpool gears up for this vital match, Slot’s strategic choices will be pivotal in determining their success against Manchester United. With a mix of seasoned players and fresh talent, the stage is set for an exciting showdown at Anfield.
