After three consecutive defeats for the first time in Arne Slot’s managerial career, his Liverpool side will look to reverse their fortunes against bitter rivals Manchester United on Sunday.
Battling form and fitness, here is how the Reds could lineup against Manchester United on Sunday in hte Premier League.
Giorgi Mamardashvili
The Georgian shot stopper made his Premier League debut at Stamford Bridge before the international break, being forced into some impressive saves against a threatening Chelsea attack.
A spell on the sidelines for Alisson means that Mamardashvili will remain as Liverpool’s No. 1 for another few weeks.
Milos Kerkez
Having endured an indifferent start to life on Merseyside, Milos Kerkez is likely to be trusted with the left-back role against Manchester United.
Often erratic at times, the Hungarian has also fallen victim to being shoehorned into a left centre-back role for the majority of his short-lived Liverpool career.
With the possibility of a United right side consisting of both Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbuemo, Kerkez may be able to show the Kop why he is the right man to replace Andy Robertson.
Virgil van Dijk
Liverpool’s captain will hope that his defensive record over the international break translates onto the pitch at Anfield, upon keeping two clean sheets for the Netherlands.
The onus will likely fall on the more experienced members of Liverpool’s squad, such as van Dijk, to lift them out of this run of underwhelming performances.
Joe Gomez
The Reds’ current longest serving player looks set for his first league start this season, with Ibrahima Konate still a doubt after his thigh injury he picked up against Chelsea.
Despite the Frenchman’s possible involvement in Friday’s training session, it will be a surprise to many if he is one of the first names on the team sheet on Sunday.
With Giovanni Leoni unavailable due to tearing his anterior cruciate ligament, Gomez has an opportunity to solidify his place in Arne Slot’s side in the wake of some inconsistencies from Konate.
Conor Bradley
A toss-up between three competing players, Bradley ultimately emerges as the most balanced pick out of both Jeremie Frimpong and Dominik Szoboszlai.
Equipped to deal with the bag of tricks on offer by the likes of Matheus Cunha and Mason Mount, Bradley is also adept at holding the width so that Salah can make more of an impact.
It also restores the player of the season so far, Szoboszlai, to his advanced midfield role.
Alexis Mac Allister
In the absence of Lionel Messi, Alexis Mac Allister shone for World Champions Argentina as he scored a brace against Puerto Rico in a friendly on Wednesday.
While Mac Allister may start on Sunday, it will be a surprise if he completes 90 minutes due to the travelling that often impacts his fitness levels immediately after an international break.
Ryan Gravenberch
Liverpool fans can breathe a sigh of relief after Slot confirmed in his press conference that the Dutch midfielder is “completely fit” for Manchester United.
Integral to the way his side plays football, Slot will expect even more of Gravenberch to try and stabilise the midfield as the Reds search for some much-needed respite.
Cody Gakpo
Four goals in his last three games, now would certainly be the time for a Liverpool player to continue their run of scoring form.
It has been both Gakpo and Kerkez who have dominated the left channels for Liverpool, but to varying effect.
With the likes of Florian Wirtz and even Hugo Ekitike often infringing on their space, Liverpool’s attacks have not been anywhere near as productive as last season, and the Dutchman will hope to change that.
Dominik Szoboszlai
Undoubtedly Liverpool’s best player this season, Szoboszlai has truly demonstrated how valuable he is to Arne Slot in spite of a massive player overhaul.
Relied upon for his versatility this campaign, the Hungarian has impressed in progressing the ball up the pitch from deep in his own half.
Szoboszlai pressing from the front once again will also set an example for the rest of his teammates, as Liverpool will want to make their presence known against their bitter rivals at Anfield.
Mohamed Salah
It’s no secret that Manchester United are Salah’s favourite Premier League opponents.
He will hope that a productive performance against the Red Devils fires him back into form, after fading into a rather peripheral figure in Arne Slot’s squad.
Truly great players don’t stay quiet for long, and the stage is set for the Egyptian King to silence his critics on Sunday.
Hugo Ekitike
Having learnt from his rather costly blunder against Southampton prior to the international break, Ekitike will hope to revive his September goalscoring form.
The Frenchman has a clear advantage over teammate Alexander Isak, given that he was present for all of Liverpool's pre-season, and stylistically, he is the better fit as it stands.