Liverpool expected to miss numerous players for Southampton trip
Liverpool face Southampton on Sunday, November 24th, at the St. Mary’s Stadium in their first match back from the international break. The Reds opened up a five point lead at the top of the Premier League standings over defending champions Manchester City and will be looking to continue their good run of form when they take on a relegation-threatened side next.
One could argue that Arne Slot has not had the support he would have liked in the summer transfer window but has done a very commendable job so far in the league as well as in the Champions League. The week after the fixtures against the Saints is a vital one though as there are two crunch clashes against Real Madrid and Man City in the Champions League and Premier League, respectively. The upcoming few days could provide a real test of character for the Reds.
According to Liverpool Echo, the international break and injuries prior have not been kind to Arne Slot, who might be without a number of first team players. While the former Feyenoord manager expects to have Alisson Becker, Diogo Jota and Harvey Elliott back from injury, concerns are ongoing about Trent Alexander-Arnold’s health as he was prematurely taken off in the last game.
In addition to that Englishman, Alexis Mac Allister, Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz are yet to complete their national commitments in South America and consequent to that, it may be until the end of the week that they fly back into England. Given the lengthy travel as well as the physicality of the matches in the CONMEBOL, it would be far from a surprise if the trio struggles to regain match fitness in time for the Southampton fixture and is forced to be left out by Arne Slot.
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Among several doubts, however, the good news for Slot is that his trusted lieutenant Virgil van Dijk has been released from the Netherlands squad by Ronald Koeman. The Liverpool captain will return to Melwood sooner rather than later and will commence training with the team for its away game over the upcoming weekend.
