NewsLFC fitness update: Alexander-Arnold, Alisson, Chiesa, Elliott, Jota and Van Dijk
Arne Slot confirmed Virgil van Dijk is available to face Southampton this weekend, as he provided a full squad fitness update.
The Liverpool captain departed Netherlands duty before their second fixture of the international window on Tuesday night, but is fit to feature against his former club on Sunday.
Harvey Elliott has returned to training with the team, though Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alisson Becker, Federico Chiesa and Diogo Jota are continuing their recoveries.
Asked first about Alisson’s condition during his pre-match press conference today, Slot said: “We are careful with everyone, especially when it comes to muscle injuries.
“But he is back in training with the goalkeeper coach. 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.”
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Watch on YouTubeOn the rest of his squad, the head coach added: “Virgil is all good. He is training with us today.
“Trent isn’t training with us yet, but he is getting there so we expect him to be back with us soon.
“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.
“Jota is still apart from the group, same as Federico, 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, but the last part of the recovery is always the most difficult one. So, let’s wait and see. But Virgil is completely OK.”
Slot was later asked if Alexander-Arnold, Alisson and Jota are likely to be ready in time for the Reds’ Anfield meetings with Real Madrid and Manchester City next week.
“That is something we have to wait and see because I just said that the last few days of a recovery are always the ones that are most tricky,” he replied.
“Because then they have to go from isolated training sessions towards the group training session – and that step is always the most difficult one.
“So, for me 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. The only thing I can say is that with Alisson and with Jota, I don’t expect them to be available for that game.
“With Trent, it’s going to be in between.”
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