Liverpool Injury Update: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Diogo Jota, Federico Chiesa and Elliott Ahead of Southampton Match…

Liverpool Injury Update: Status of Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Diogo Jota, Federico Chiesa, and Elliott Before the Southampton Match.

As Liverpool prepares for their Premier League match against bottom-placed Southampton following the international break, the latest updates on player injuries and availability are crucial.

Currently, Liverpool leads the Premier League by five points and is also in a strong position in the Champions League group stage, marking a successful start for head coach Arne Slot.

His impressive record of 15 wins in 17 matches across all competitions is particularly notable given the injuries that have sidelined several key players.

While much attention has been focused on the injury challenges faced by title contenders like Manchester City and Arsenal, Liverpool has also encountered significant setbacks due to injuries.

The upcoming two-week break from club action is expected to provide an opportunity for Slot to reintegrate some injured players before the team faces Southampton on Sunday, November 24.

This match will be followed by a demanding schedule, including fixtures against Real Madrid, Manchester City, Newcastle United, and Everton within an 11-day span.

With this challenging period ahead, here’s the latest on the injured players:

Alisson Becker

Injury: Hamstring

Alisson Becker, Liverpool’s first-choice goalkeeper, has been sidelined since the 1-0 win against Crystal Palace on October 5. Initially, it was anticipated that his hamstring injury would keep him out for at least six weeks, suggesting a return post-international break.

However, Slot has remained cautious regarding Alisson’s recovery. Recently, Alisson was seen during Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over Aston Villa and hinted on social media that he is close to resuming training.

His manager has emphasized that once the Brazilian is fully recovered, he will reclaim his position as the starting goalkeeper from Caoimhin Kelleher, who has once again demonstrated his capability as a reliable substitute.

Slot stated: “First and foremost, Alisson needs to regain his fitness. I have consistently maintained that Alisson is our first-choice goalkeeper when fit. However, he must first achieve full fitness.

“Caoimh has performed exceptionally well, both last season and this one, but as soon as Alisson is fit, he will return as our primary goalkeeper.”

Possible return date: Southampton (A), Premier League, November 24.

Trent Alexander-Arnold

Injury: Hamstring

The victory against Villa came at a price, as Trent Alexander-Arnold had to leave the field in the 25th minute due to an injury, which has led to his withdrawal from the England squad for their UEFA Nations League matches against Greece and the Republic of Ireland.

Scans have indicated that the right-back has sustained a low-grade hamstring injury. While it is not severe, it poses a challenge for him to be ready for the matches against Southampton, Real Madrid, and Man City.

Possible return date: Real Madrid (H), Champions League, November 27.

Harvey Elliott

Injury: Foot

Harvey Elliott has been sidelined since early September due to a fractured foot sustained while on duty with the England Under-21s.

However, he made significant progress in his recovery on Monday by participating fully in a training session with the Reds’ U21 squad at the AXA Training Centre.

Elliott, who caught Slot’s attention during pre-season, had initially aimed for a return following the October international break, but his recovery has taken longer than anticipated. He is now eager to make up for lost time.

Possible return date: Southampton (A), Premier League, November 24.

Federico Chiesa

Injury: Unknown

Federico Chiesa has missed Liverpool’s last nine matches due to an unspecified injury.

However, there seems to be optimism regarding his return, as the Italy international is expected to be back after the international break.

On Friday, Slot addressed the situation regarding the summer signing, stating, “I wouldn’t describe it as a concern, but it’s certainly not ideal for either him or us. With Diogo Jota’s injury, we currently have only four attackers available, making this a missed opportunity for him to gain more playing time.”

He continued, “It’s challenging for a player who has missed pre-season, including games and training sessions. It takes time for them to reach the necessary intensity levels.”

Slot acknowledged the difficulty in balancing the player’s development, saying, “We are making efforts, and he is doing everything possible to reach those levels.”

He added, “Once he achieves that physical condition, we will reap the benefits of having him in the squad. We anticipate his return during the international break, and he should be available to us afterward.”

Possible return date: Southampton (A), Premier League, November 24.

Regarding Diogo Jota, who sustained an upper body injury, Slot noted that he was injured early in the match against Chelsea on October 20 after being brought down by Tosin Adarabioyo.

Since then, the striker has been sidelined, and during the press conference, Slot expressed concerns about Jota’s availability for the crucial matches against Real Madrid in the Champions League and Manchester City in the Premier League following the international break.

Slot remarked, “We expect him back after the international break, which leaves us with six or seven months left in the season!”

He indicated that Jota is likely to return one or two weeks after the international break.

Possible return date: Newcastle United (A), Premier League, December 4.