Isak rules out Alisson for Liverpool's visit to Manchester United

isak now sits beside another Liverpool team-news problem: Alisson Becker will not be rushed back for Sunday's Premier League visit to Manchester United. Arne Slot said the goalkeeper has not trained yet, and Liverpool are still managing a shortage between the posts after seven missed games and recent absences for Giorgi Mamardashvili.

Alisson Becker and Slot

"Ali hasn't trained with us yet. [He is] very close to training with us, I have to hear today from the medical staff if he is able to train today or either tomorrow or otherwise the start of next week," Slot said on Friday. He added: "He is very close but of course, also we don't want to take any risks, because that's never what you do with a player and that's also not what we do now."

That leaves Liverpool leaning on the goalkeeping options they have already used. Freddie Woodman made his first Premier League start for the club against Crystal Palace last weekend, a reminder of how quickly the position has been tested while Alisson has been out.

Milos Kerkez and Salah

There was another watch item in training. Milos Kerkez left the pitch earlier in the week with niggles, but Slot expected him to train on Friday or Saturday. Mohamed Salah will not be available against Manchester United after a minor muscle problem forced him off against Crystal Palace.

"As we know from Mo, he's always working incredibly hard during the season when he's fit, but definitely also when he is injured to be back as soon as possible," Slot said. "That's what he's trying now so well. Usually he's earlier fit than other players after a minor injury – because he has a minor injury. We expect him indeed to be back in the final part of the season, but not for Sunday."

Manchester United squad

Manchester United have their own fitness checks around the same fixture. Michael Carrick said they are "in good shape really," and that Matheus Cunha has done some work after missing the victory over Brentford at the beginning of the week. Luke Shaw should be available despite coming off in the second half against Brentford, while Matthijs de Ligt is still out of the game.

For Liverpool, the practical picture is simple: Alisson is close, but not ready for Sunday, Salah is out, and the injury list still includes Stefan Bajcetic, Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitike, Wataru Endo and Giovanni Leoni. Slot's caution suggests the club is trying to protect short-term availability rather than force a return before the trip to Old Trafford.