Manchester United’s preparations for their Premier League showdown with Liverpool have been disrupted by the absence of key players at Carrington, raising fitness concerns before Ruben Amorim’s side head to Anfield.

Liverpool have a number of players who have not been called up by their countries for October's international break - and some of them have been spending their time at the AXA Training Centre.

Liverpool host Manchester United in the Premier League as a rip-roaring rivalry resumes at Anfield today. Arne Slot's champions have lost their last three, while United have continued to be inconsistent under Ruben Amorim.

Liverpool are due to return to Premier League action after the international break with a crucial fixture against Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday, 19 October. With the Reds already contending with a demanding run of fixtures, Konate’s recovery timeline could shape Slot’s defensive options heading into that game.

Four Man United players missed training for the Red Devils before their clash at Liverpool, but the reason has now been revealed why.

A handful of Liverpool players were at the AXA Training Centre on Tuesday as the October international break nears its close

The Reds entered the international period in dreadful form after suffering three successive defeats for the first time in Arne Slot’s tenure, but club football’s hiatus has provided the reigning Premier League champions with some much-needed respite.

Liverpool arguably come out of the international in better shape than they entered it. Opportunity knocks as Manchester United visit Anfield