Mohamed Salah and Hugo Ekitike among eight Liverpool absentees for Man United showdown

Liverpool’s preparations for their Premier League showdown with Manchester United have been overshadowed by a major injury setback, with Mohamed Salah and Hugo Ekitike among eight senior players ruled out.

The double blow to Arne Slot’s attacking department deepens an already difficult selection crisis ahead of the trip to Old Trafford, where both clubs are chasing crucial points in the race for European football.

The fixture arrives at a decisive stage of the season, with the third-placed Red Devils holding a three-point advantage over the fourth-placed Reds in the reported league standings.

For Liverpool, the equation is straightforward: maximum points could prove pivotal in securing Champions League qualification, a minimum requirement after a campaign that has already seen them fall short in the title race and exit domestic and European cup competitions.

Slot’s challenge is compounded by a stretched squad across all departments. The defensive unit has been hit particularly hard, with Milos Kerkez, Alisson Becker, Giorgi Mamardashvili, Giovanni Leoni and Conor Bradley all unavailable through injury.

The absence of Alisson is especially significant, given his status as the team’s first-choice goalkeeper and a key figure in Liverpool’s defensive structure. With multiple defensive absentees, Slot is expected to rely on a reshuffled backline with limited top-level continuity.

Liverpool’s problems do not end at the back. In midfield, Wataru Endo is also sidelined, further reducing the manager’s tactical flexibility. The most damaging setbacks, however, come in attack, where both Mohamed Salah and Hugo Ekitike are ruled out.

Salah’s thigh injury removes Liverpool’s most reliable source of goals and creativity, while Ekitike’s absence due to calf, shin and heel issues deprives the side of an additional forward option at a time when attacking depth is already thin.

Historically, Liverpool have fared reasonably well in this fixture, winning six of the last 12 Premier League meetings with United and losing only twice in that span.

Yet form and history may offer limited reassurance given the current injury situation. Beyond the immediate concerns, there is also growing speculation over a potential squad reshuffle in the summer, with Alisson, Salah, Andrew Robertson and Curtis Jones all linked with possible departures as Slot considers significant changes following an underwhelming season.