VIDEO SHOWS: SOUNDBITES OF LIVERPOOL MANAGER ARNE SLOT AHEAD OF PREMIER LEAGUE GAME AGAINST MANCHESTER UNITED COMPLETE SHOTLIST TO FOLLOW SHOWS: LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (OCTOBER 17, 2025) (NICHE MEDIA – Access all) STORY: Liverpool will be without first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker when they host arch-rivals Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday (October 19), adding to the pressure on manager Arne Slot as his side looks to snap a three-game losing streak. "He will not play and also not next week," Slot told reporters on Friday. "Alisson, he is not training. It's so difficult to say (when he will return) because the end phase of rehab can give positives and negatives." Ryan Gravenberch is "completely fit" Slot added in a bit of good news, while Ibrahima Konate was expected to train on Friday. Becker's absence due to a hamstring injury comes at a critical moment for the Reds, who have struggled to convert performances into points in recent weeks. Slot acknowledged the fine margins that have defined Liverpool's recent defeats, but insisted his team must rise above them. "We've played 10 (across all competitions), won seven and lost three. The three losses were by close margins," Slot said. "Twice in the last minutes, both teams got a penalty, both times VAR should have overturned the decision. "But as I keep saying, we should not be dependent on such margins. Results don't lie, if you lose three in a row then you have to do better. We are aware of that and we have to react." Sunday's clash at Anfield promises to be a high-stakes encounter, with both teams keen for a result to steady their seasons. Slot's reigning league champions trail leaders Arsenal in the table by a point through seven games, while Man United are 10th but buoyed by their 2-0 win over Sunderland just before the international break. "I look forward to every single Premier League game, but maybe more the Man United one because I know how special it is," the Liverpool boss said. "We know it's the game that is perhaps watched the most all over the world. It's a game we have to be at our best, because in my opinion United have had a better start to the season than the league table suggests." Slot was asked about the fact British record signing Alexander Isak, who was late to join Liverpool due to his dispute with Newcastle United and prolonged move to Merseyside, failed to score for Sweden during the international break. "Now he's had his five or six weeks of pre-season, fitness wise he is close to the level he should be. Now we can judge him in a fair way from now on," slot said. "His pre-season has finished now, he's played a few games, so we see where he is in the coming weeks." (Production: Suramya Kaushik)
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