. Liverpool have also been without Harvey Elliott for the entire season following a broken foot. Diogo Jota for weeks following a rib injury against Chelsea after the last international break. And Federico Chiesa has been struggling with fitness since joining the Reds late in the Summer transfer window.
This has not stopped Slot from leading his team to the best start of a new manager in Premier League history, with the Merseyside club sitting atop both the Premier League and the new format UEFA Champions League tables with just one loss and one draw in 16 matches.
Slot spoke to the media today about the return of some of these players including some big names which received a scare midweek, with Virgil van Dijk returning early from international duty due to apparent discomfort at international camp. Slot had the following to say:
“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.”
“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 …
Read More
