Liverpool’s build-up to West Ham away has taken another twist after Arne Slot offered cautious optimism on three of our most important players.
Arne Slot delivers Liverpool injury update
The Dutchman confirmed that Alisson trained fully on Thursday and is expected to be available, which is a significant boost given how disruptive it always is when we lose our world-class goalkeeper.
We always miss the Brazilian’s authority, especially during the defeat to PSV that saw us concede four – the 33-year-old’s return could not be better timed.
Arne Slot also delivered fresh news on Florian Wirtz, explaining: “Florian will have his final day of rehab Friday. So, if that all goes well, he could train with the team on Saturday.”
The German midfielder has endured a stop-start beginning to life at Anfield, but his talent is obvious to everyone and getting him fit consistently is one of the most important tasks for our season.
The No.7 has been missing since his muscle issue flared up against Nottingham Forest.
It is notable that our boss again referenced how injuries have shaped his decisions, similar to when he explained that Ibou Konate had “not trained two days before the game” while discussing Joe Gomez’s role, reinforcing how short-term fitness issues keep affecting our back line.
Ekitike remains a doubt for West Ham
The more delicate case involves Hugo Ekitike, the 47-year-old said: “They dont expect that it has to be a big issue… but the games come fast so lets see for the weekend.”
The former Frankfurt attacker played through pain against PSV, with Slot admitting post-game that he “constantly felt ‘whats wrong with Hugo?’” as the forward struggled but later found out he played with a back issue from the opening stages of the game.
Knowing his back problem is not serious is a boost, even if he misses Sunday.
With Alisson returning, Wirtz close to rejoining full training and Ekitike unlikely to be absent long term, we finally have a few reasons to feel more stable heading into a crucial week.
You can view Slot’s injury update via Liverpool FC on YouTube:
Join our channel of readers on WhatsApp to get the day’s top stories straight to your mobile
Hopefully all 3 are available so we can have this stable lineup for West ham:
Alisson
Gomez
Konate
Van dijk
Robertson
Gravenberch
Macallister
Szoboslai
Salah
Ekitike
Wirtz
Gomez (guaranteed fit ?) over Conor ?
Mamardashvili’s been pretty decent, but there’s familiarity with Alisson.
Still patient with Ibou ?
Subs ?
Same here. Give Gomez a run out if he’s fit, but keep him back to cover for Konate’s impending howlers.
Maybe play Chiesa instead of Mo’ and use Mo’ for the last half hour if needed ?
Midfield picks itself.
Deffo Robbo at LB. Bowen’s their creative forward.
Conor and frimpong are out injured. Gomez is the safer defender at right back slot at the moment. We do not have other centerbacks currently. Konate has to play and hopefully with real Madrid not pursuing him, he can finally make up his mind and sign the contract and focus on Liverpool. Alisson is still our best goalie and he has to play. Our subs will be the same few players namely mamardashvilli, kerkez, isak, Jones, ngumoha, nyoni, endo
Sorry I missed out chiesa and gakpo. Nyoni will be out then. Endo most likely out as well. There are 7 subs right?