Premier LeagueLiverpool v Nottingham Forest: Team news

Having remained at the club to work on his fitness during the international break, the Italy forward is in Slot’s thoughts for Saturday’s Premier League game at Anfield.

During his pre-match press conference on Friday morning, the head coach said: “Federico has trained with the team now three or four times so let’s see how he does today and which decision I make because we have more than 20 players, for if I choose for a position or if I choose the ones that are the fittest at the moment.”

Slot expects Alexis Mac Allister to be in contention to play after the midfielder appeared as a substitute for Argentina in midweek, but Harvey Elliott is definitely ruled out due to injury.

The Dutchman stated: “Harvey is of course a big disappointment for him but not only for him, also for us because OK, he didn’t play that much in the first three games but he played a lot in pre-season and he showed himself really well so, of course, if he had stayed fit he would have had a lot of playing time in the upcoming fixtures.

“But now he isn’t [fit] and that also gives the chance to someone else. So it is, first and foremost, a blow for himself, and then also for us because I think availability is important in the stage of the season when we play seven games in 22 days, I think. So, it’s a blow for the both of us but he will work as hard as always to come back in the best possible way.

“He didn’t stay fit unfortunately so he is out for a longer time.”

Otherwise, Slot reported that he has a full squad available for the meeting with Forest. He was also asked whether the upcoming run of seven fixtures in three weeks will lead to more squad rotation.

“That’s something that I decide before every game,” he replied.

“My former teams… we were actually able to play almost every game with the same players, but it’s a different league. I might have to adjust to that, but it also depends on what they show and by what they show I mean in terms of physique.

“In the first three games we were [in a] really strong physique but we only played one day each seven days. Now they have a point to prove and I assume that they all want to play every game.

“So, if they want to, they have to show up every time, also in quality, but especially in work-rate. We have more than 11 very good players so I can use more.

“I can’t tell you now if I am going to do so or not, that I am going to decide before every game that comes up. I get some feedback from medical staff, performance staff, whoever they are, [about] what's the best thing to do and we make the decision before every game.”

Forest, meanwhile, may be without Ibrahim Sangare and Willy Boly at Anfield, while Danilo is a long-term injury absentee.

Nuno Espirito Santo told the media on Thursday: “We have a doubt with Sangare and Boly and we know Danilo is out. We are assessing all of them. We have to wait a little bit to be 100 per cent sure.

“Boly has a calf injury. We are assessing all of them. We still have one more day and then we will see.”

The visitors will also review the readiness of Ramon Sosa and Chris Wood after their exertions with Paraguay and New Zealand respectively during the international break.

Nuno continued: “This is what we have to assess tomorrow. All of them are here, with the exception of Sosa, who arrives this afternoon.

“But we are assessing. This is the bad part of the international break, when they return we have to assess them. Long travels. Some of them have played more or less minutes. We have one day to assess all of them and make the decision.”

Deadline-day signings Morato and James Ward-Prowse may make their Forest debuts this weekend, with Nuno saying: “Both of them have adapted well to the group and the group has received them very well.

“They are totally integrated, enjoying their football and preparing themselves for the chance when it comes.”

Last match

Manchester United 0-3 Liverpool (September 1): Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Konate, Robertson, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Salah, Diaz, Jota.

Nottm Forest 1-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers (August 31): Sels, Williams, Milenkovic, Murillo, Aina, Sangare, Anderson, Elanga, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi, Wood.