If attempting to derail an unbeaten, free-scoring Manchester United side who are extremely stingy in defence wasn’t a difficult enough task, Liverpool head into Saturday’s Premier League fixture sans Sadio Mane.
Their reigning Player of the Season - named in the 30-man Ballon d’Or list of nominees on Monday - returned from Senegal
 duty with a hamstring injury that will sideline him for up to six weeks.



With three goals in his four top-flight appearances this term, Jurgen Klopp will not just miss the 25-year-old’s decisiveness in the final third, but his speedy transitions, tirelessness and ability to occupy several markers at once.
So how can the Reds boss counter the loss of a certified game-changer as he prepares to combat Jose Mourinho’s side?
Klopp does have more options to alter things than he did last season when Mane was unavailable through his participation at the Africa Cup of Nations, and later through meniscus damage in his left knee.

Liverpool still possess pace and explosiveness in Mohamed Salah, and £35 million deadline-day signing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will have the opportunity to step up and prove he should be a regular starter.
Fellow new acquisition Dominic Solanke has maximised his cameo appearances, and while it would be a surprise if he were to start on Saturday, it would not be unimaginable to see him in a top-flight starting XI soon.
Klopp will hope none of his other returning internationals give him further injury concerns and if everyone else is fully fit, here are a few of the ways he could set Liverpool up against United.
As ever, the competition for the full-back slots - especially on the right - is close.