Szoboszlai absence explained and Konate fitness latest ahead of Liverpool vs Man Utd

Liverpool welcome back Ibrahima Konate for their Premier League clash with Manchester United on Sunday afternoon. The French defender has been out of action since sustaining a knee injury during the 2-0 victory over Real Madrid on November 27, but rejoined team training this week.

With Joe Gomez set to miss some time due to a hamstring issue picked up in the 5-0 thrashing of West Ham United on December 29, Arne Slot has chosen not to draft in Jarell Quansah as his replacement, instead opting for Konate to partner captain Virgil van Dijk. Dominik Szoboszlai is absent through illness, paving the way for Curtis Jones to take up the most advanced position in midfield, ahead of Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch.

Harvey Elliott and Wataru Endo are available as substitutes for the midfield. Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez start from the bench, with Luis Diaz leading the Reds' attack once again.

Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo will flank him on the right and left respectively. Federico Chiesa makes a return to the squad after missing three matches due to fitness issues.

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The Italian last featured as a substitute in the 2-1 Carabao Cup quarter-final win at Southampton on December 18.

Conor Bradley is set to return to the match-day squad for the first time since Liverpool's victory over Real Madrid. The Northern Irish right-back, who was injured in the win against the La Liga champions, will be on the bench for the clash with Ruben Amorim's struggling United.

The build-up to Sunday's game was fraught with uncertainty as Liverpool City Council's Ground Safety Advisory Group convened at 9am to decide whether the snowy conditions around the region would permit the fixture to proceed. The match was eventually given the green light after a second meeting at midday.

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Liverpool's line-up: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Jones, Gakpo; Diaz. Subs: Kelleher, Elliott, Chiesa, Jota, Nunez, Tsimikas, Endo, Quansah, Bradley.

Szoboszlai absence explained and Konate fitness latest ahead of Liverpool vs Man Utd

Szoboszlai absence explained and Konate fitness latest ahead of Liverpool vs Man Utd

Szoboszlai absence explained and Konate fitness latest ahead of Liverpool vs Man Utd

Szoboszlai absence explained and Konate fitness latest ahead of Liverpool vs Man Utd

Szoboszlai absence explained and Konate fitness latest ahead of Liverpool vs Man Utd