MatchManchester United v Liverpool: Team news
Liverpool are hopeful of having Wataru Endo available again when they travel to Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday.
The Japan captain sat out the midweek 3-1 win over Sheffield United having sustained a knock in the preceding fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Speaking immediately after the defeat of the Blades at Anfield, manager Jürgen Klopp revealed Endo is on course to return in time for Old Trafford.
“That’s my information [that he will be fit],” said the boss. “We rested him today. We had a feeling there could have been a chance for tonight but if we leave him out then there is a big chance for Sunday. I hope that didn’t change.”
Klopp also reported it appeared the Reds came through their latest outing, which took them back to the top of the division, without any fresh fitness concerns.
“Nobody got injured already as far as I know today,” he said. “So recovery started already and now we recover and go again.”
The game with United does, however, come too soon for Trent Alexander-Arnold, Stefan Bajcetic, Alisson Becker and Diogo Jota, with that quartet due to resume parts of team training next week.
Liverpool will also continue to be without Thiago Alcantara, Ben Doak and Joel Matip.
The home side, meanwhile, are dealing with multiple injury issues in central defence.
Victor Lindelof and Lisandro Martinez are currently ruled out, and both Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans had to be taken off during United’s 4-3 defeat at Chelsea on Thursday night.
“I can’t tell now what it is in prospect of Sunday but we have to take them both off,” manager Erik ten Hag said of the latter duo post-match.
Midfielder Casemiro is also a fitness concern, having had to be withdrawn during the second half at Stamford Bridge.
Tyrell Malacia, Anthony Martial and Luke Shaw have been long-term absentees for the Red Devils.
“We have to recover very quick. We have to turn this around,” said Ten Hag after the loss to Chelsea. “So from tomorrow [Friday] on we will be in a positive mood. We will be looking forward.
“We have to take energy but we will be mad, angry. From anger you can take a lot of energy and that is how we have to do it.”
Last match
Liverpool 3-1 Sheffield United (April 4): Kelleher, Bradley, Van Dijk, Konate, Gomez, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Salah, Diaz, Nunez.
Chelsea 4-3 Manchester United (April 4): Onana, Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Varane, Dalot, Casemiro, Mainoo, Antony, Fernandes, Garnacho, Hojlund.