Liverpool line-ups vs Manchester United as Ibrahima Konate and Dominik Szoboszlai decisions made

Liverpool predicted line-ups and teams for the Premier League match at home to Manchester United on Sunday

Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate

Liverpool defender

Liverpool play their first game of the New Year when they entertain bitter North West rivals Manchester United on Sunday afternoon. The Reds went into the weekend round of games having opened up a six-point lead over Arsenal with a game in hand at the halfway point of the campaign.

Arne Slot, though, has a number of decisions to make with Ibrahima Konate and Conor Bradley now back in contention and only Joe Gomez sidelined having suffered a hamstring problem.

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The only major selection dilemma for Arne Slot this afternoon is whether or not to hand Ibrahima Konate an instant recall at centre-back due to the injury of Joe Gomez. Konate hasn’t played since the 2-1 win over Real Madrid on November 27 but is back in full training, how much is that a risk today though given that length of absence?

For me, I’m sticking with Jarell Quansah at the back alongside Virgil van Dijk with Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold in their usual full-back slots. In midfield, I’m going with Dominik Szoboszlai over Curtis Jones and keeping faith with Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister further back. Jones can be introduced from the bench if needed.

I had wrestled with the idea of giving Diogo Jota his first start since October but the Portugal international can be first reserve off the bench, if needed. Luis Diaz continues in the No.9 role with Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah either side of him.

My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Diaz