Liverpool is gearing up for a return to Premier League action with its trip to Southampton just around the corner. And with a packed schedule leading up to Christmas, the Reds will be eager to welcome back some of their sidelined stars.
Harvey Elliott has been spotted getting some training in with Liverpool’s U21s as he works his way back from a fractured foot sustained during the September internationals while playing for England. His absence hasn’t derailed Liverpool’s results but having another midfield option would be hugely beneficial.
While there’s no definitive date set for Elliott’s comeback, his presence on the training field suggests his return isn’t too far off. Liverpool will take a cautious approach, gradually reintegrating him, yet his addition to midfield choices is certainly a welcome prospect.
Diogo Jota is expected to rejoin the squad “one or two weeks” after the international break, according to Arne Slot’s comments in a press conference before the victory over Aston Villa. The nature of Jota’s injury remains unclear, though it appeared to involve his ribs following a clash in the Chelsea match, which led to Darwin Nunez taking his place on the field.
A return in one week would see him back on the pitch against Manchester City, while two weeks would mean Jota rejoining the team for the final match against Everton at Goodison Park. Either way, having another goalscoring option for a challenging series of matches would be significant.
Federico Chiesa, who joined from Juventus in the summer, has seen limited game time as he continues to build his fitness, and there’s no set date for his return. He was spotted with rehab coach Lee Nobes at the AXA Training Centre yesterday but is not in team training again just yet.
Meanwhile, Alisson Becker has been sidelined for seven games due to a hamstring injury he picked up during the Crystal Palace match. The Brazilian goalkeeper, like Jota, was expected to return after the international break, but the exact timing is still uncertain.
He did, however, share a photo of himself in the gym this week, indicating that his rehabilitation is ongoing. He was also involved in training to some degree this week and could potentially be back relatively quickly. Slot will offer the latest on Friday.
Lastly, Trent Alexander-Arnold was expected to be fit by the time Liverpool faces Real Madrid and Manchester City. He might even make an appearance in next weekend’s Southampton match, having avoided a serious setback when he was substituted during the Aston Villa game.
He hasn’t, however, been spotted in training yet. Waiting until after the Southampton game might be sensible, with Conor Bradley available in reserve.
