Arne Slot has conceded that Alisson Becker remains a doubt for Liverpool's mouth-watering clash at Manchester United this weekend - but hinted the Brazilian will start, provided he comes through a single training session unscathed.

Alisson has been sidelined for the past seven matches with a hamstring problem that has plagued him for a large portion of the season. With Giorgi Mamardashvili also on the treatment table as he recovers from the injury sustained during the derby victory at Everton a fortnight ago, Freddie Woodman could once again start. Woodman stepped in for Mamardashvili at Hill Dickinson Stadium before delivering a man-of-the-match display in the 3-1 home triumph over Crystal Palace last Saturday.

Liverpool manager Slot said on Friday morning: "Ali hasn't trained with us yet. Very close to train with us. I have to hear today from the medical staff to see if he is ready to train today, either tomorrow or the start of next week.

"He is very close, but also we don't want to take any risks. That is not what you do with a player and that is not what we do now.

"I think there is a difference between a goalkeeper and (an outfield) player because if a player hasn't trained in a few weeks... (outfield) players need to run more than goalkeepers do.

"So I don't think the issue with an (outfield) player when he is out for four or five weeks that he forgot to play football, it's usually that the fitness levels are not at this intensity to play at the level the Premier League is asking. There is a difference between a goalkeeper and an outfield player.

"For us, it is a bonus every player that comes back because it is getting longer and longer. It has been like that throughout the whole season."

Liverpool will additionally be missing Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley, Wataru Endo and Giovanni Leoni, and have been hit by a fresh injury scare with Milos Kerkez. Slot hopes the Hungarian could still be in the squad this weekend despite picking up a knock earlier this week.

"Milos has had some niggles," said Slot. "He left the training pitch the day before yesterday but I expect him to train either today or tomorrow."

Liverpool travel to United on Sunday targeting a fourth consecutive Premier League win that would take them above their fierce rivals and place them in a commanding position to secure Champions League football after a turbulent campaign.

They will be forced to manage without Mohamed Salah for the journey down the East Lancs Road, owing to the hamstring problem that cut short his appearance against Palace. But it was confirmed this week that the Egyptian is expected to feature for Liverpool once more before his departure at the end of the season.

"As we know from Mo, he is always working incredibly hard when he is fit, but also when he is injured to be back as soon as possible," said Slot.

"Usually, he is fit sooner than other players than others when he has a minor injury - so we expect him back for the final part of the season, but not for Sunday.

"In all ways, it is a big relief that his injury is minor that he is able to play for us and at the World Cup. If there is any time a player deserves to have a big send-off, it is definitely him."