Liverpool are without right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold available for their trip to face Southampton – and goalkeeper Alisson and forward Diogo Jota will continue to miss out.
Alexander-Arnold did not join up with the England squad during the international break and has a hamstring injury, while Alisson and Jota have been out for some time already.
Manager Arne Slot said: “Trent isn’t training with us, but he’s getting there to be back with us soon.
“We are careful with everyone, especially when it comes to muscle injuries. Alisson is training with the goalkeepers but not with the team. He is getting better but is not ready for Sunday.”
Despite their injury problems Liverpool resume Premier League action with a five-point lead over champions Manchester City, who were boosted this week by the news that manager Pep Guardiola will stay for at least two more years.
‘He is maybe the best manager’
Arne Slot confirmed Virgil van Dijk is available to face Southampton this weekend, as he provided a full squad fitness update. ⤵️
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) November 22, 2024
Slot – who will come up against Pepe for the first time on 1 December – is pleased that the former Barcelona man is staying in England.
He said: “It’s good news for City and for the league because everyone wants the best managers and the best players over here.
“He is definitely one of the best managers, maybe the best manager.
“He’s won four titles in a row. If he did decide to leave, with the players they’ve got, they wouldn’t be at the bottom of the league.”
Liverpool face Real Madrid, City, Newcastle and rivals Everton in a packed schedule but Slot is focused only on the challenge of Southampton – who have won one league game so far.
He said: “I would say Southampton are more than a capable team. I’ve seen them play against City, Arsenal and Wolves. They are very, very capable of playing teams like us.
“We have an incredible fixture list coming up, starting with Southampton. That is the most important, the next one.
“The other games have no effect on my team selection, but what does effect it is Southampton – how they play, how fit they are.”
