Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that Ibrahima Konate is losing his battle to be fit for the FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester United.

The Frenchman sustained a thigh injury in the first leg of the Europa League last 16 tie versus Sparta Prague and he has been unavailable for the last two matches. It means that Klopp will have at least 9 players missing for this weekend’s trip to Old Trafford.

Coaimhin Kelleher will start in goal, with no.1 keeper Alisson Becker not expected to return to action anytime soon due to a hamstring problem.

Jarell Quansah is set to line up alongside captain Virgil van Dijk in the centre of defence, with Konate likely to be absent. Conor Bradley will keep his place at right-back with Trent Alexander-Arnold still on the sidelines.

However, there is a more difficult choice to make on the left flank. Joe Gomez has been in excellent form and his defensive qualities could be required to nullify the threat of Alejandro Garnacho. It means Andy Robertson may have to be satisfied with a place on the bench once again, having been a substitute for last Sunday’s game against Manchester City.

Klopp has more straightforward decisions in midfield. Wataru Endo has been phenomenal in the holding midfield role over the last month. It has freed up Alexis Mac Allister to play as a no.8 where he has excelled. With Dominik Szoboszlai back fit, the Hungarian is also an automatic starter.

Up front, the Reds can welcome back Mo Salah, who got 90 minutes under his belt versus Sparta. The Egyptian international is set to start on the right wing. Cody Gakpo’s brace on Thursday evening does give Klopp a selection headache, but Luis Diaz is expected to return to the eleven on the left-hand side of the attack, with Darwin Nunez leading the line.

Liverpool’s Predicted XI to take on Manchester United

Kelleher, Bradley, Quansah, van Dijk, Gomez, Szoboszlai, Endo, Mac Allister, Salah, Nunez, Diaz