Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has assessed his selection options following the international break as he addressed the fitness of key men including Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The Dutchman has overseen a history-making start to the season, masterminding an impressive 15 wins from his 17 opening games in charge. Having taken over the reins from modern-day Anfield legend Jurgen Klopp, he now boasts the best record of any manager in the Reds’ history at this point in their tenure.
The one blemish during the infancy of his tenure came in the form of a loss to Nottingham Forest following the first international break. Now, Slot will be tasked with ensuring that his team maintains the momentum it had built up prior to the latest set of international fixtures this month as they return to Premier League action.
Arne Slot has just been given two more chances to do what Jurgen Klopp did Liverpool has a player mimicking Roberto Firmino and now Arne Slot needs him to explode
Speaking ahead of the trip to face Southampton this weekend, the former Feyenoord boss has given the lowdown on the health of his squad. Captain Van Dijk returned from Netherlands duty early, sparking some fears that he could be a doubt for the away clash at St Mary’s.
Meanwhile, vice-skipper Alexander-Arnold limped out of the Reds’ last game before the recent international break, promoting some fears over his condition. Speaking in a press conference on Friday (Nov. 22), Slot spoke on these issues and a variety of other subjects…
On fitness of Alisson Becker, Diogo Jota and Trent Alexander-Arnold: “For next week? We’ll have to wait and see because the last week is always tricky because it’s isolated to group sessions so it is difficult to judge. So I cannot say it will one or two or three days. Alisson and Jota I don’t expect them to be fit for that game [Real], Trent we will see.”
“Alisson? We’re careful with everyone when it comes to muscles. He is back in training with goalkeeper coach and not training with the team but that is expected soon. Le’ts wait and see where he is in terms of match fitness, getting better and better but not ready.
On whether Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk have trained: “Trent and Virgil? I was expected a different question! Virgil is all good. Trained with us today. Trent not training yet but he is getting there, we expect him back soon. Virgil is fine.”
On the returns of Harvey Elliott and Federico Chiesa: “Harvey is with us now, been out for many weeks but with the team now on the pitch. Jota is still the same as Federico who is coming back into the session after one exercise today. All expected back in a few weeks but last part of recovery is always the hardest, so let’s wait and see.”
On the form of Ibrahima Konate and his improvement this season: “First of all, it’s always about the player and how much effort he puts in to stay fit, then it is technical and performance stsff but if the players doesn’t buy in it is almost impossible to keep him fit. A lot of players until have done that.
“Konate didn’t play Ipswich and there was a reason for that, his pre-season games weren’t his best but he came back quite late and we were training for a few weeks and Jarell had been playing well, so it was a logical decision. At half time [of Ipswich] I decided we needed Ibou.
“He played at Man United and he has bought into getting fit and every meeting with him, he was the one I could see he wanted to learn and listen and improve and that is what he did in my opinion. And that is why the improvement from pre-season to Ipswich was massive.”
On the team selection headache facing him after international break: “It’s a bit of everything, talking to players, the medical and performance staff, listen to technical staff and look at the opponent to see what the best team to select is.
“Only difference is now is you wonder how the South American players have returned, they normally come back with jet lag. That is the only difference [after internationall breaks]. You look at the players and the info from the staff.
On Pep Guardiola’s new contract with Manchester City: “Good news for City and the league because everyone wants the best managers and players here and he is definitely one of them if not the best.
“Look at what he did last few years, four-time champions in this league, fair to say he is the best. They have so many quality players, if he made the choice to leave I wouldn’t expect them bottom next season. Interesting for us managers facing one of the best managers ever.”
