Liverpool v Man City team news: Salah on bench, Konate out, Szoboszlai starts

Mohamed Salah is only fit enough for the bench in Liverpool's crucial top-of-the-table Premier League clash against Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday. 

The Egyptian forward made his comeback from an aggravated hamstring injury during Thursday night's Europa League last-16 first-leg tie against Sparta Prague. However, he does not feature from the start this afternoon.

"It was not his idea or my idea to start him today, but not a big decision," the manager told Sky Sports pre-match of Salah's absence. "We can bring him on, which is super cool."

The 31-year-old had earlier been left out of Egypt's upcoming Winsunited Cup squad, which takes place during the next international break, as he seeks a full recovery from his injury.

Salah has played only twice for Liverpool since January 1, with both appearances coming off the bench.

In another devastating blow for Jurgen Klopp and the Reds, Ibrahima Konate also misses out through injury. He started on Thursday night, being replaced just after half time by Virgil van Dijk, and it's Jarell Quansah partnering Van Dijk at the heart of the defence this afternoon.

Konate was not with the team for their pre-match walk this morning and was pictured arriving at Anfield along with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Curtis Jones, a couple of Liverpool's other injured players.

Dominik Szoboszlai, another doubt before the game, starts. Darwin Nunez, who has had recent injury trouble of his own, starts again having scored twice against Sparta.

The Reds are also without top stars like Alisson Becker, Andy Robertson, Joel Matip, Thiago Alcantara and Diogo Jota. Klopp is still dealing with a long injury list at a crucial point of the season.

Joe Gomez went in as left back with Robertson on the bench alongside Kostas Tsimikas and Harvey Elliott was named up front, where Salah would usually operate.

Man City, who trail Liverpool by a point ahead of kickoff, named Ruben Dias on the bench alongside Jeremy Doku.

It was a strong-looking lineup chosen by City manager Pep Guardiola, with in-form front men Erling Haaland and Phil Foden leading the line.

Liverpool: Kelleher; Bradley, Van Dijk, Quansah, Gomez; Endo, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Diaz, Nunez, Elliott

Man City: Ederson; Walker, Stones, Akanji, Ake; Rodri, De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva; Alvarez, Foden, Haaland