Liverpool’s predicted XI vs Man United as Arne Slot gives preview into post-Mohamed Salah attack

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Liverpool have the chance to leapfrog Manchester United into third place in the Premier League table on Sunday as they line up for a big game at Old Trafford.The Reds are in a good moment having won three matches on the spin, and know that a win over their old enemy would virtually secure them a place in next season’s Champions League.With Mohamed Salah injured, Arne Slot has some decisions to make in his starting line-up, with a focus on who he’ll send out to get the goals. As Liverpool face the reality of a post-Salah world, here is the XI we think Slot will choose to get what would be an enormous three points.

Slot confirmed that Alisson Becker had not trained on Friday, and whether that had changed by Saturday will be key in deciding whether the Brazilian will play.Given the close proximity to the game, though, it feels more likely that Freddie Woodman will get another chance to show what he can do. It may help Woodman to go with a settled back four in front of him, and that should mean that Curtis Jones continues at right-back.Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk will make up Liverpool’s centre-back pairing, while the news that Milos Kerkez left training early in midweek is likely to mean Andy Robertson keeps his place for his final clash with United.Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty ImagesREAD MORE: Five things noticed from Liverpool’s pre-Man United training as Alexander Isak comes out of his shellMidfieldWith Jones preferred to Dominik Szoboszlai at right-back, one of Liverpool’s regular midfield trio will likely have to make way at Old Trafford.It was Ryan Gravenberch who missed out last weekend, while Alexis Mac Allister was reduced to the substitutes bench for the previous week’s win over Everton.That could mean the rotation finds its way to Szoboszlai, but it seems unlikely that Slot would drop his player of the season for such a big occasion.Instead, it feels more probable that Mac Allister drops out, leading to a Szoboszlai and Gravenberch pivot headed up by Florian Wirtz.

Slot confirmed on Friday that Alisson is yet to train 😬 Photo credit: Getty Images/Gareth Copley AttackLiverpool’s attack is going to have some major surgery this summer, but it will have to stagger on until the end of the season first.Salah appears set to return to play his final matches for the club, but he will definitely not be ready in time to participate in the United fixture.As a result, Slot has a big decision to make. There are a number of combinations available to Liverpool, and the only certainty feels to be that Alexander Isak will definitely play.Slot could choose to start Rio Ngumoha, and that would be a popular decision amongst supporters, but staying true to past form, it is more probable that Cody Gakpo begins the game on the left.Ngumoha may also be considered to directly replace Salah on the right, but we predict that Jeremie Frimpong will get the nod instead.