Liverpool granted huge fitness boost for United clash as pivotal starter trains and is tipped to make return in FA Cup QF

As will be the case for Erik ten Hag this weekend, Jurgen Klopp will be navigating an injury-plagued squad when Liverpool make the trip to Old Trafford on Sunday.

Manchester United are confirmed to be without pivotal defensive starters Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw, as well as long-term absentees Antony Martial, Tyrell Malacia and Mason Mount – while the latter was spotted in Tuesday’s training session at Carrington, Ten Hag has previously stated that he doesn’t expect his summer signing back until after March’s international break.

There are hopes that Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Harry Maguire and Rasmus Hojlund could make the matchday squad in some form, though. The addition of the trio would undoubtedly boost the Reds’ chances of progressing to the FA Cup semi-finals, especially given the red-hot form Hojlund was in prior to his setback (seven goals in six Premier League matches). 

As for the travelling Merseyside outfit, they will be without all of the following: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alisson Becker, Curtis Jones, Ryan Gravenberch, Stefan Bajcetic, Diogo Jota, Joel Matip and Thiago Alcantara.

Stalwart centre-half Ibrahima Konate was withdrawn during the first leg of their last-16 Europa League tie against Sparta Prague last week, which consequently ruled him out of Sunday’s 1-1 draw at home to Manchester City, and he will also sit out of tomorrow’s second leg.

Konate tipped to return in time to face United

The French international is set to return to the matchday squad – and presumably the starting 11 – for the United contest after being spotted training individually at the AXA yesterday. 

Sky Sports journalist Vinnie O’Connor revealed: “We did see Ibrahima Konate out there training by himself. Obviously, since he went down in the second-half against Sparta Prague and went off with that injury he missed the game against Manchester City.

“Jurgen Klopp did say he was hopeful that he would be back against Manchester United at the weekend. He wasn’t training with the main group today, but we did see him.”