Liverpool learn whether Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo will be fit to face Manchester United

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Liverpool’s fitness problems are beginning to mount up ahead of their return to action in the Premier League.

The Reds headed into the international break with a couple of notable absences, the main issues being a long-term knee injury for Giovanni Leoni and a fairly significant knock for Alisson Becker.

Over the course of the international break, Liverpool looked to have suffered at least three new disturbances.

First up, Wataru Endo pulled out of Japan’s squad with an unknown injury only one day after Liverpool’s defeat to Chelsea.

Perhaps more worryingly, Ibrahima Konate then travelled home from the France squad after failing to prove his fitness. Finally, and possibly worst of all, news arrived on Monday that Ryan Gravenberch had to be substituted during the Netherlands match on Sunday with a tight hamstring.

With a big fixture against Manchester United to come on Sunday, it is the last thing Arne Slot needs. Thankfully, however, things are sounding positive regarding both Endo and Gravenberch.

Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo ready to face Man United

Gravenberch’s fitness is the cause of much angst among Liverpool supporters. The 23-year-old has become arguably Slot’s most important player.

Liverpool simply do not look the same team without Gravenberch, and to miss him for any length of time would be a huge blow to their title chances.

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Thankfully, according to journalist David Lynch, the Dutchman is more than likely to be fit and ready to start against United.

“Gravenberch is in line to take his place in the Reds’ starting XI when they face Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday,” Lynch wrote on his Substack column, after clarifying that his substitution for the Netherlands was purely precautionary.

The news is positive regarding Endo too, with the Japan captain’s withdrawal from duty also said to be risk-management related.

“He [Gravenberch] should also be joined in the squad by Wataru Endo,” says Lynch. “Who was not called up by Japan during the October international break due to an unspecified fitness concern of his own.

“That is understood to have been tight hamstrings and, with the Samurai Blue only contesting two friendlies this month, head coach Hajime Moriyasu opted against risking his captain.”

What about Ibrahima Konate?

With Gravenberch and Endo likely to be okay and Alisson and Leoni definitely out, the only update left to give is over whether Konate will be ready for the United match.

There was some initial positivity over Konate’s knock, but Lynch stops short of confirming that the Frenchman will be ready for Sunday’s game.

“Ibrahima Konate will undergo assessment after leaving the France camp early to be assessed back at the AXA Training Centre,” he says.

If the 26-year-old does not make it in time, Joe Gomez is likely to step into the back line in his place.