Table-topping Liverpool return to Premier League action on Sunday with a trip to rock-bottom Southampton. By that time second-placed Manchester City will already have played, meaning the Reds will know if they have the chance to regain or even extend their five-point lead at the top.
And by that time they will also know if any of their players have picked up knocks on international duty. While there appears nothing serious at this stage, there does seem to be a couple of slight concerns.
But on the flipside, the international break should have allowed the players who have been sidelined opportunity to get closer to full fitness.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot will need as near a full squad as possible in the coming weeks. After the trip to St Mary’s, the Reds host Real Madrid in the Champions League and then face massive, back-to-back Premier League trips to Newcastle United and Everton, before playing another five matches before the year is out.
So with all that in mind, we take a look at the latest injury situation at the AXA Training Centre…
Virgil van Dijk
Injury: Unknown
Reds captain Virgil van Dijk withdrew from the Netherlands squad after their 4-0 UEFA Nations League win over Hungary in Amsterdam on Saturday on “medical grounds.”
Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman further said: “Virgil had some minor complaints, he already had that last week. He trained separately last week until Wednesday.
“Also considering the schedule that these types of players have to complete – he always plays everything. That is why we decided to send him back to the club.”
There is no suggestion that the centre-back, who also captains his country, will be absent from the clash against his former club Southampton, but it is a timely reminder of the demands of the packed domestic and international programme.
Possible return date: Southampton (A), Premier League, November 24
Alexis Mac Allister
Injury: Unknown
Alexis Mac Allister was substituted in stoppage-time as Argentina ran out 1-0 winners over Peru at La Bombonera in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
And Mac Allister’s withdrawal does seem to have been the result of a nasty tackle in the 88th minute. TyCSports reported it was a “tremendous kick on Alexis Mac Allister that seemed to come out cheap, especially due to the violence that can be seen in the replay, which reflects a clear tackle towards the midfielder’s left ankle.”
Hopefully it will be just a knock and the midfielder will be fine to face Southampton.
Possible return date: Southampton (A), Premier League, November 24
Alisson Becker
Injury: Hamstring
Liverpool’s No.1 Alisson Becker has been missing since the 1-0 victory at Crystal Palace on October 5. At the time it was suggested that the new hamstring injury he sustained would rule him out for a minimum of six weeks, which would see him return after the international break
And there is hope that will be the case after he was pictured in training on Tuesday. Reds boss Slot is sure to give an update on Alisson when he holds his press conference to preview the Southampton match later this week, but it’s clear that the Brazilian is closing on a return.
And his manager has already confirmed that once fully fit, Alisson will regain his place between the posts from Caoimhin Kelleher, who has once again proved to be such an able deputy.
Slot said: “First of all, Alisson needs to become fit. I have always been quite clear, that’s always been the position of Alisson. He is and will be our first goalkeeper if he is fit. But first he needs to be fit.
But Caoimh has done outstanding, last season and this season again as well but the moment Alisson is fit, he will be our first goalkeeper.”
Possible return date: Southampton (A), Premier League, November 24
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Injury: Hamstring
The rousing 2-0 home victory over Aston Villa before the international break did come at a cost with Trent Alexander-Arnold coming off in the 25th minute with an injury that meant he pulled out of the England squad for their UEFA Nations League games with Greece and the Republic of Ireland.
Scans have revealed the right-back has suffered a low grade hamstring injury that, while not serious, means he faces a fight to be fit for Southampton, Real Madrid and Man City.
Possible return date: Real Madrid (H), Champions League, November 27
Federico Chiesa
Injury: Unknown
Federico Chiesa has now missed Liverpool’s last nine matches with an unspecified issue. But there appears to be some light at the end of the tunnel with the Italy international expected to return after the international break.
Slot said recently of the summer signing: “I would not use the word concern but it is far from ideal for him and us. Because with the injury of Diogo (Jota) we have four attackers available, so this could have been a great moment for him to get more playing time.
It is difficult for a player who missed out on pre-season and playing pre-season games and training sessions. You have to give a player more time to get to the intensity levels.
It is a difficult balance to get him where we want but we are trying and he is trying everything he can to get to these levels.
“Once he is at that physical level we will benefit from having him. At this moment we expect him back during the international break and then he should be with us after the international break normally.”
However, Chiesa appeared to remain absent from Liverpool team training on Tuesday, although on LFC TV’s latest ‘Inside Training’ video, the forward was spotted in training wear in the dressing room, including gloves, which would suggest he had been working outside in the freezing Merseyside conditions.
But whether Chiesa will be fit to return this weekend remains to be seen.
Possible return date: Unknown
Harvey Elliott
Injury: Foot
The fractured foot Harvey Elliott suffered while on England Under-21s duty has kept the midfielder sidelined since early September.
But Elliott, who impressed Slot during pre-season, is now back in full training and could well be available selection for the showdown with Southampton. But, like with Alisson, a full update is expected by the end of the week.
Possible return date: Southampton (A), Premier League, November 24
Diogo Jota
Injury: Upper body
Jota was injured early on against Chelsea on October 20 after he was hauled down near the halfway line by Tosin Adaraiboyo.
The striker hasn’t played since and in his last press conference before the international break, Slot admitted that the Portugal international looks a major doubt for the massive double header against Real Madrid in the Champions League and Man City in the Premier League.
