Defenders Marcos Rojo and Luke Shaw will not be fit enough to start for Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday, but could figure as substitutes.
Both Rojo and Shaw, summer signings who cost United a combined total of 43 million pounds, sat out Sunday's 3-0 win over Tottenham and are on the comeback trail, but not yet ready to play the full 90 minutes against Liverpool.
"I don't think they are fit to play, but maybe on the bench. I have to see how they are," manager Louis van Gaal told MUTV.
It means Chris Smalling and Phil Jones are set to keep their places in the centre of defence as Jonny Evans serves the third of a six-game ban for spitting at Newcastle striker Papiss Cisse while Daley Blind is certain to continue at left-back
United will still be without striker Robin van Persie, who has missed their last four games with an ankle injury.
Van Gaal said his fellow Dutchman has started running as his recovery continues, suggesting he might be fit to face Aston Villa in their first match in April.
"He was [on Friday], for the first time, on the training pitch running, so he has made progression also," Van Gaal added.
The Dutchman recognises that the United-Liverpool rivalry means it is a game of pivotal significance to spectators as well as in the two clubs' quest to finish in the top four, especially as Brendan Rodgers' in-form team are unbeaten in the Premier League since their December visit to Old Trafford.
"The next game is the most important game -- especially in this rat race, but of course I know it is our competitor," he said. "I know it is, for our fans, the enemy and it's very important. I want to win against Liverpool again. We have already won two times [against them, including a preseason game], but the last time they lost [in the league] was against us -- a long time ago. It shall be very difficult."
United arrive at Anfield on the back of beating Spurs in a performance many felt was their best of the season.
Van Gaal was encouraged but feels it will be another vital step in United's development to record a win at Anfield.
"I think we played very good in the first half [against Spurs]," he said in a news conference. "It was also good to have an evaluation that was very positive.
"It was good for the players but it says nothing when you lose the next match but the next match is against Liverpool and Liverpool is not a ground where Manchester United has won a lot. When we show it again in Liverpool, then we are a little bit further."
United have had a player sent off against Manchester City, in Smalling, and Arsenal, in Angel Di Maria, and Van Gaal will again tell his players to ensure they finish the game with 11 men.
"I shall always warn my players for a red card. When there is a wrong decision, they have to control their emotion. That is not so easy. I have talked about emotion in our preparation before Arsenal and there is still a red card."
