Liverpool look set to see their Premier League title charge bolstered by several key injury returns over the coming weeks.
It was a fairytale start at Anfield for Jurgen Klopp’s successor Arne Slot, whose Reds side went into the final international break of 2024 five points clear at the top of the Premier League, in addition to dominate the Champions League standings and reach the Carabao Cup. quarter-finals.
Such achievements have come despite some unfortunate injuries, with players like Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Diogo Jota all sidelined in recent times, along with summer signings Federico Chiesa and Harvey Elliott.
But all of these players now appear to be on the way back as Liverpool prepare to return to action at Southampton on Sunday before the small matter of back-to-back meetings with Real Madrid and Manchester City, including the first Merseyside derby. the season is also fast approaching.
Virgil van Dijk
Injured Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has been sent home from the Netherlands camp during the international break, sparking injury fears.
Vn Dijk and midfielder Frenkie de Jong were released earlier on Monday and have been asked to return to their clubs and will not take part in the final Nations League group match against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Explaining the decision, Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman said: “For Frenkie and Virgil, it is best that they leave training camp at this time.
“This decision was made for medical reasons, with the interests of the players of course being paramount.”
Van Dijk played the full 90 minutes of Saturday’s 4-0 win over Hungary in Amsterdam and the decision should be taken into account for the sake of workload management rather than injury.
Potential return date: Sunday November 24, against Southampton
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Alexander-Arnold started Liverpool’s final game before the international break against Aston Villa as usual, but limped off midway through the first half of a 2-0 win at Anfield after appearing to suffer a problem to the hamstrings.
Slot later admitted that it was never good news when a player requested to withdraw due to injury, expressing doubts over the right-back’s ability to play for England during his final Nations League matches against Greece and the Republic of Ireland.
Alexander-Arnold was among nine total withdrawals from interim manager Lee Carsley’s last Three Lions squad, but reports quickly indicated he would only be out for around two weeks after scans revealed a problem with low intensity.
Depending on the injury’s recovery during the international break, Alexander-Arnold could be available for Liverpool’s trip to St Mary’s on Sunday.
Potential return date: Sunday November 24, against Southampton
Alison
Liverpool released images of Alisson back in training this week, representing a major boost for the club.
“First of all, Alisson needs to be fit,” Slot said earlier in November. “I have always been very clear, this has always been Alisson’s position.
“He is and will be our first goalkeeper if he is fit. But first he has to be fit.
“But Caoimh did exceptional things, last season and again this season, but as soon as Alisson is fit, he will be our first goalkeeper.”
Potential return date: Sunday November 24, against Southampton
Diogo Jota
Liverpool’s influential Portuguese striker last played on October 20, when he was sent off after half an hour of the 2-1 win over Chelsea at Anfield.
Jota has missed the last six games in all competitions with a chest injury suffered after Blues defender Tosin Adarabioyo accidentally landed on him.
Slot said before the win against Villa that Jota would be back a week or two after the international break, a schedule which would see him miss against Southampton but would likely return against Real Madrid or Manchester City.
“We’re waiting for him to come back after the international break… the first few weeks after the international break we’re waiting for him back,” Slot said.
Regarding the details of Jota’s injury, Slot added: “I always say that in the Netherlands there is a certain confidentiality about it and I don’t know how it is here. As I just said, he will be back one or two weeks after the international break.
Potential return date: Wednesday November 27, against Real Madrid
Federico Chiesa
It has been a frustrating start to his Liverpool career for summer signing Chiesa, who has been limited to just 76 minutes in all competitions since his cut-price move from Juventus.
The injury-plagued winger has not played at all since making his only start in West Ham’s 5-1 Carabao Cup defeat on September 25, although Slot said earlier in November that he hoped Chiesa would be able to play after the match. international truce.
“I wouldn’t use the word worry but it’s far from ideal for him and for us,” Slot said. “Because with Diogo’s injury we have four strikers available, so it could have been a good time for him to get more playing time.
“It’s difficult for a player who missed pre-season and played pre-season matches and training sessions. You have to give a player more time to reach intensity levels.
“It’s a tough balance to get him to where we want, but we’re trying and he’s doing everything he can to get to those levels. Once he gets to that physical level, we’ll benefit from him being there.
“At the moment we are waiting for him during the international break, then he should be with us after the international break normally.”
Potential return date: Sunday November 24, against Southampton
Harvey Elliott
Midfielder Elliott’s season is yet to get underway, having broken his foot during a training session with the England Under-21s in September.
However, the former Fulham youngster was back training at Kirkby last week and could be back after the international break.
Potential return date: Sunday November 24, against Southampton