Liverpool beat Palace 3-1 before hosting United, but Szoboszlai faces knee tests
Liverpool returned to winning ways with a 3-1 victory at Selhurst Park and moved into fourth place before United's visit to Anfield. Dominik Szoboszlai, who set up the opening goal, now faces tests on a knee that his manager says was not fully fit.
Liverpool go into the international break with their form restored. Andoni Iraola’s side won comfortably on the road and climbed to fourth. Their next league opponents are Manchester United at Anfield.
The concern for Liverpool is the fitness of Dominik Szoboszlai.
Szoboszlai’s knee leaves one of Liverpool’s key midfielders in doubt
Szoboszlai took a knock late in the first half. He played on until the 69th minute, when Trey Nyoni came on in his place. According to RTÉ Sport, Iraola said the midfielder had slightly overextended his knee and was not fully fit. The manager could not say whether he would be available for Hungary’s Nations League games.
Tests were scheduled for Monday 9 November. Liverpool also planned to carry out their own assessments.
Midfield cover is already stretched. Liverpool’s injury update on 6 November listed Ryan Gravenberch as a doubt with a heel injury. That problem is a day-to-day matter of managing pain.
Otherwise, the afternoon went Liverpool’s way. Alexis Mac Allister headed in Szoboszlai’s delivery after 40 minutes. Florian Wirtz added a second after the break. Alexander Isak made it three late on. Eddie Nketiah’s stoppage-time penalty was Palace’s only reply.
The result followed a defeat in Turkey earlier in the week. Liverpool’s league record now stands at five wins, three draws and two defeats.
United arrive in the bottom three without a league win in eight
United’s form offers a sharp contrast. They needed a 96th-minute equaliser from Patrick Dorgu to rescue a draw with Aston Villa at Old Trafford on 8 November. The point left them with one win from 10 league games.
The slide carries historical weight. The Analyst (Opta) noted that 7 November was the first time since October 1986 that United had finished a day in the bottom three later than August.
For United, the timing of Szoboszlai’s injury matters. A doubt over the player who created Liverpool’s opener would remove one threat from an Anfield side that has just rediscovered its rhythm.
The table could also worsen before kick-off. Sunderland and Crystal Palace both play earlier that weekend. United could therefore start the game at Anfield on Sunday 22 November bottom of the table.
