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.
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 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.
