Liverpool return to Premier League action away to Southampton on Sunday and Arne Slot remains without the services of a number of players
Liverpool are set to be without at least four players when they travel to Southampton on Sunday. The Reds have been bolstered by the return of Harvey Elliott to team training during the November international break.
The England Under-21s international has been sidelined since fracturing his foot during the September international break. But after returning to team training at the start of last week, the 21-year-old is now on the verge of a return.
Meanwhile, Virgil van Dijk has also been passed fit after returning from international duty prematurely on ‘medical grounds’. However, Arne Slot remains without the services of a number of players ahead of the trip to St. Mary’s with their participation against Real Madrid and Manchester City next week also in doubt.
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Should Elliott be deemed fit enough to be included in Liverpool’s travelling squad for their trip to the South Coast, Slot will need to leave out one senior player from his matchday squad with the Reds then boasting 21 fit players.
And ahead of Liverpool’s clash with Southampton, the ECHO rounds up who is set to miss the trip…
Alisson Becker
Alisson hasn’t played for Liverpool since injuring his hamstring against Crystal Palace at the start of October. The Brazilian did return to training during the international break, but is yet to start full team training.
Slot has confirmed that the shot-stopper will miss Sunday’s Premier League encounter at St. Mary’s and is unlikely to return in time to face Real Madrid in midweek.
“He is back in training with the goalkeeper coach,” the Dutchman said. “He is not training with the team yet, but that is expected to be done soon, and then let’s wait and see where he is in terms of match fitness.
“But he is getting better and better, but not ready to play [on] Sunday… don’t expect them to be available for that game (Real Madrid).
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Alexander-Arnold had been playing through the pain since the October international break after returning to Liverpool with a side-strain. However, he limped off with a hamstring injury in the first half of the Reds’ clash with Aston Villa during the latest break.
Forced to pull out of the England squad for their recent UEFA Nations League games against Greece and the Republic of Ireland, scans revealed he suffered a low grade hamstring injury.
While initially not ruled out of facing Southampton, Slot has confirmed that his vice-captain won’t be fit enough for the trip to St. Mary’s. Yet to return to team training, he also remains touch-and-go for the clash with Real Madrid.
“Trent isn’t training with us yet, but he is getting there so we expect him to be back with us soon,” said Slot. “It is difficult to judge now and to tell you now if it is going to be one, two or three days or a bit longer.
“With Trent, it’s going to be in between (for Real Madrid).”
Diogo Jota
Jota has been sidelined since being forced off with an impact injury to his upper body in the first half against Chelsea last month.
With Slot previously admitting he did not expect the Portuguese to return until December, he has now confirmed the striker is yet to return to team training and will miss both Southampton and Real Madrid.
“Jota is still apart from the group,” he said. “With Jota, I don’t expect them to be available for that game (Real Madrid).
Federico Chiesa
Chiesa hasn’t made an appearance for Liverpool since his full debut against West Ham United at the end of September, with his last matchday squad appearance coming against Wolves.
Slot confirmed that the Italian could take part in parts of team training for the first time on Friday though as he closes in on a return.
“Still apart from the group, same as Federico,” Slot revealed. “Who is coming back into the session maybe in one exercise today.
“They are all expected to be back within now and a few weeks.”
Harvey Elliott and Virgil van Dijk
Liverpool will likely tread carefully with Elliott after a lengthy lay-off, but he is available again after returning to team training. Van Dijk is also available despite suffering ‘minor complaints’ while away with the Netherlands.
“Virgil is all good. He is training with us today,” Slot said. “Harvey is training with us again so that’s the positive thing, he has been out for many weeks but he is on the training ground again with the team. So, that’s a positive thing for him.”
