Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has delivered bad news for Manchester United by completely resting four of his star players ahead of this weekend’s match at Anfield. The Reds take on Union Saint-Gilloise in the Europa League on Thursday but won’t be at full strength.
Liverpool have already confirmed top spot in Group E, with four wins from their five matches. That means they will avoid a knockout play-off round match against a team who finished third in their respective Champions League group.
Klopp will still be keen to maintain momentum following a run of four consecutive wins in all competitions. Liverpool flew to Belgium on Wednesday afternoon ahead of the game against Union SG.
But four there were four notable absentees from the travelling squad. Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Alisson Becker and Trent Alexander-Arnold have all been left at home.
Salah has made 22 appearances for Liverpool this season, the most of any player alongside Darwin Nunez. Van Dijk and Alisson’s absences are not unusual in Europe this term.
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Van Dijk’s only appearance in the tournament came in the 3-1 win at Lask in September. Alisson’s only outing in the Europa League came in the reverse fixture against Union SG in early October.
The Brazilian only returned from injury for the dramatic late win at Crystal Palace on Saturday. Caoimhín Kelleher will play in goal, with young keepers Marcelo Pitaluga and Fabian Mrozek in reserve.
Alexander-Arnold featured in four of the first five group-stage matches. But Klopp has seen fit to rest him entirely ahead of Sunday’s huge clash against United.
Diogo Jota and Alexis Mac Allister have also been left at home as they continue to nurse injuries. Long-term absentees Andy Robertson, Thiago Alcantara and Joel Matip are among the others not to have made the trip to Belgium.
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But news that four of Liverpool’s star players have been rested won’t be music to the ears of United boss Erik ten Hag. The Dutchman would have hoped that the extra two days his team have to prepare for the trip to Anfield would have made an impact.
But Salah, Van Dijk, Alisson and Alexander-Arnold will now be refreshed. United head to Anfield looking to avenge the 7-0 hammering they suffered there in March.
Liverpool currently sit top of the Premier League table, a point clear of Arsenal. United are sixth, 10 points behind their bitter rivals.
Liverpool squad to play Union SG: Gomez, Endo, Konate, Diaz, Szoboszlai, Nunez, Jones, Gakpo, Elliott, Tsimikas, Gravenberch, Chambers, Pitaluga, Scanlon, Gordon, Doak, McConnell, Kelleher, Koumas, Quansah, Hill, Bradley, Mrozek.
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