- Liverpool take on Man Utd at Old Trafford in the Premier League
- Arne Slot taking charge of his first northwest derby on Sunday
- New signing Federico Chiesa could be involved from the bench
Liverpool face the sternest test of the Arne Slot era so far on Sunday when they face rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford in the Premier League.
It's been a dream start for the Dutch coach after he succeeded the legendary Jurgen Klopp over the summer, winning opening clashes with Ipswich Town and Brentford 2-0 at a canter. Achieving the same scoreline this weekend will prove incredibly tricky, but it would certainly endear Slot to the Liverpool supporters.
Slot hasn't had many injuries to deal with to date and Curtis Jones is the only doubt for Sunday's clash. Liverpool made just one change in their victory over Brentford at Anfield as Ibrahima Konate came in for young Jarell Quansah and it may be a similar lineup for the trip to Old Trafford.
Here is how Liverpool may line up for their clash with Man Utd.
Liverpool predicted lineup vs Man Utd (4-3-3)
GK: Alisson - Liverpool caught everyone by surprise when signing a new goalkeeper but the club were keen to stress Giorgi Mamardashvili's arrival puts no pressure on Alisson's position as number one. That's certainly true in 2024/25 given the Georgian goalkeeper has returned to Valencia on loan.
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold - After impressing with his excellent passing range at Ipswich, Alexander-Arnold was similarly attacking against Brentford. His defensive acumen will be tested against compatriot Marcus Rashford this time out.
CB: Ibrahima Konate - Having reclaimed his starting spot from Quansah, Konate will be desperate to keep his place in the Liverpool lineup. The only thing preventing that from happening is injuries.
CB: Virgil van Dijk - The Dutchman's future remains uncertain but, for now, he's key in defence for the Reds. Whether up against his international teammate Joshua Zirkzee or Bruno Fernandes as a false nine, Van Dijk will be confident of winning Sunday's battle.
LB: Andy Robertson - Liverpool missed Robertson's darting runs down the left flank and interplay with Luis Diaz during his time on the treatment table last season. He appears as essential for Slot as he was for Klopp.
CM: Dominik Szoboszlai - The Hungary captain looks reinvigorated at the beginning of the 2024/25 season and could be a game-changer in the final third against the Red Devils. He will try and isolate Casemiro if possible.
CM: Ryan Gravenberch - The former Bayern Munich man has been surprisingly employed as a defensive midfielder by Slot in the opening weeks. There's little to suggest he won't operate as a number six against Man Utd, even if he may be in for a tough afternoon.
CM: Alexis Mac Allister - Liverpool's World Cup winner will have to offer Gravenberch plenty of defensive support in the engine room on Sunday. He scored at Old Trafford in the FA Cup meeting last season.
RW: Mohamed Salah - 14 goals and four assists in 15 meetings with Man Utd. That's pretty impressive. The Egyptian has looked his old self at the start of the new season and has bagged twice already.
ST: Diogo Jota - Darwin Nunez's late return after the Copa America has given Jota a free run at the number nine spot early in the season. A goal against Ipswich and an assist against Brentford have done his chances of retaining his spot no harm.
LW: Luis Diaz - After a hit-and-miss 2023/24, Diaz looks to be enjoying himself under Slot already. He has a good Premier League record against Man Utd and looked electric last weekend at home to Brentford.
