Salah and Alisson still unavailable but Wirtz and Konate will feature despite missing training
Arne Slot says Alexander Isak could return to the squad for Liverpool’s Premier League clash with Chelsea after returning to training this week.
Isak missed Liverpool’s 3-2 defeat to Manchester United because of a minor groin injury, but Slot confirmed the striker is back working with the squad.
“Alex has trained with us again, only for the first time, yesterday so that is a positive,” Slot said during his pre-match press conference.
“Yesterday he did parts of it [training]. Hopefully he can do parts or all of it today. Then we will see how much we can use him tomorrow.”
Liverpool remain without Mohamed Salah and Alisson Becker, who are both recovering from muscle injuries, although Slot said both players are close to returning.
“Alisson not yet, hasn’t trained with us yet but very close. [Giorgi Mamardashvili] will train with us today for the first time, so let’s see how he is going to react. Mo also hasn’t trained with us yet but is also getting very, very close to train with us.”
Florian Wirtz and Ibrahima Konate are both expected to be available despite missing training earlier in the week.
Liverpool head into the weekend knowing victory over Chelsea would move them closer to securing qualification for next season’s Champions League. Slot’s side need a maximum of four points from their final three matches to guarantee a top-five finish, although the manager admitted a strong finish to the season would not completely change the outside perception of Liverpool’s campaign.
“This season has gone in a way that even if we have three wins and three positive results, I don’t think everyone will still be positive about how the season has been,” Slot said.
“It’s important we get at least one win over the line which we think is enough to qualify, we are not sure because four points makes it completely clear. We are trying to do it in the best possible way, performance-wise, which not always happens.
“The positive thing is a few of the players who can be really important for us are either coming back for the weekend or after the weekend. That will help us to achieve what we want to achieve.
“Three wins won’t silence the criticism. Therefore we need to have a much longer run of result and performances. That is not where we are focused on now, the focus is on three more games. Next season will also be different in terms of personnel.”
