Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has confirmed Mohamed Salah will miss the Premier League clash with Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday. Salah is recovering from a minor muscle problem and will not travel. Slot stressed the forward should still feature again this season, as Liverpool chase Champions League qualification and attempt to finish as high as possible in the league table.

Salah has built a long record against Manchester United during nine years at Anfield, scoring 13 goals in this fixture, including seven at Old Trafford, both Premier League records. The 33-year-old is playing his final season for Liverpool but will not add to that tally this weekend, denying Slot a key attacking option for one of the club’s biggest remaining matches.

The injury occurred during Liverpool’s 3-1 win over Crystal Palace, when Salah was replaced by Jeremie Frimpong in the 59th minute. The club later confirmed a minor muscle issue. Slot underlined Salah’s importance across the run-in, especially with Champions League qualification still in the balance and a farewell season that Liverpool supporters hope continues deep into May.

Slot highlighted Salah’s attitude during rehabilitation and underlined that the issue is not long term. “He is always working incredibly hard during the season when he is fit and when he is injured to get back as soon as possible, Slot told reporters. Usually he is back earlier fit than other players. He has a minor injury, and we expect and need him back for the final part of the season, but not for Sunday. It is a big relief that his injury is minor, and he is able to play for us and at the World Cup. If a player deserves a big send-off, then it is Mo.”

Sunday’s meeting carries heavy weight for both clubs in the top-four race. Michael Carrick’s Manchester United sit three points ahead of Liverpool in the battle for Champions League places. If United win, they will move closer to finishing above Liverpool in the Premier League for the first time since the 2022-23 campaign, increasing pressure on Slot’s side.

Slot rejected the idea that ending below United would represent a backwards step after last season’s title success. “We are aware that it is a very big game. Not only because we play Man United, but to qualify for the Champions League and to get the highest possible league position, he said. We wanted to win the leaguethat is not possible, so we are trying to finish as high as possible. A win [which could secure a top-five finish] is the right step forward. It is an important step, it is definitely not a step backwards.”

United’s recent league form under Carrick highlights the scale of Liverpool’s challenge. Since Carrick’s first Premier League match in charge this season, United have collected 29 points, more than any other side over that period. Carrick has nine wins, two draws and two defeats from 13 league games, already surpassing Ruben Amorim’s eight victories from 20 matches in the 2025-26 campaign.

Slot must also manage uncertainty in goal, with Alisson Becker still returning from a hamstring injury sustained against Galatasaray on March 18. The Brazil international has missed seven matches in all competitions since that last-16 second leg. During this spell, Giorgi Mamardashvili and Freddie Woodman have shared responsibilities, forcing constant adjustments in a key position.

Woodman started Liverpool’s win over Crystal Palace, earning a first Premier League start for the club after Mamardashvili suffered a knee injury in the Merseyside derby. Alisson’s status for Old Trafford remains unclear. “He hasn’t trained with us yet but is very close to. We will hear today from the medical staff if he can train today, Slot added. We don’t want to take any risks. There is a difference between a player and a goalkeeper in terms of coming back. [Outfield] players need to run much more.”

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The schedule for Liverpool’s closing month remains demanding, with domestic fixtures and international responsibilities ahead for several players.

Slot views Salah’s expected availability for the final stretch, and the World Cup, as an important boost, even if Liverpool must now handle one of their toughest league assignments without the club’s most reliable scorer against Manchester United.