Arne Slot has confirmed that Virgil van Dijk is fit to feature as Liverpool take on Southampton this weekend.
Liverpool travel to face Southampton on Sunday with the Reds returning from the international break as Premier League leaders.
Slot has provided an update on the fitness of his squad and said Van Dijk is ‘all good’ to face his former team. The Dutch defender was allowed to leave the Netherlands camp early this month due to an issue but is back in club training.
However, Trent Alexander-Arnold is out after sustaining a hamstring injury against Aston Villa before the break, while Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa also remain unavailable.
“Virgil is all good, he is training with us today,” Slot said at his pre-match press conference.
“Trent isn’t training with us. [Diogo] Jota and [Federico] Chiesa are both expected with us in the next few weeks.”
Slot confirmed that Alisson has returned to training with Liverpool’s goalkeeping group but the clash with Southampton will come too soon. Caoimhin Kelleher will continue in goal.
“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.”
The fixture with Southampton proceeds a huge week for Liverpool, who face Real Madrid and Manchester City in consecutive games after the trip to St Mary’s. However, Slot dismissed suggestions his side would be looking past the struggling Saints.
“We have an incredible fixture list coming up, starting with Southampton. That is the most important, the next one.
“The other two games have no effect on my team selection, but what does effect it is Southampton – how they play, how fit they are.
“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.
“They have been a bit unlucky and they have a very good playing style. Everyone is saying City and Real being difficult, but I think Southampton will be difficult as well.”
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