Liverpool news: Arne Slot receives injury update as star returns ahead of Chelsea

Liverpool’s preparations are underway as Arne Slot gets his team ready to take on Chelsea at Anfield when the Premier League resumes following the latest international break

The international break is nearing its end and preparations for the return of the Premier League are underway.

Liverpool welcome Chelsea to Anfield on Sunday as Arne Slot attempts to continue his sterling start to life with the Reds. The Dutchman’s side sit top of the league after six wins and a single defeat so far this term but face a more difficult schedule moving forwards.

The likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kostas Tsimikas, Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Curtis Jones are among those returning first for Slot to cast his eye over. Tougher decisions lie in wait ahead of the visit of the Blues however with the likes of Alexis Mac Allister and Luis Diaz further afield.

Mirror Football takes a look at the lastest news around Anfield below.

Team-mate backs Kelleher

Caoimhin Kelleher is widely expected to start in goal for Liverpool against Chelsea, with Alisson Becker ruled out of the clash. The Irish international did not feature in the Reds’ win over Crystal Palace when his Brazilian counterpart was forced off the field at Selhurst Park however.

Viteslav Jaros instead came into the fray with Kelleher missing due to illness. The latter is expected to make his return this weekend however.

The 25-year-old shotstopper has played in both of Republic of Ireland’s Nations League’s matches to ensure he is prepared to once again start for Slot. Liverpool’s understudy pulled off an array of saves against Greece on Sunday but committed a devastating error when he left his area before passing the ball straight to Petros Mantolos, who scored to secure a 2-0 win for Greece.

While the action may have left a bead of sweat for expectant fans, Ireland star Troy Parrott has defended his team-mate. “It’s frustrating for all of us, there is nothing we can do. Everyone makes mistakes, Caoimh doesn’t make many,” Parrott said.

“Everyone in the dressing room is behind him, but I don’t think he needs it because he’s strong enough mentally to deal with it. Obviously, it’s frustrating to give a good side like this chances, especially at that time in the game when we were coming back into it and creating good chances ourselves. It’s difficult, but we have to move on.”

Alexis Mac Allister update

The midfielder star suffered a groin injury in Liverpool’s last outing but still travelled to join up with Argentina over the last week or so. Mac Allister missed his nation’s draw with Venezuela but now appears to have made a positive return to fitness.

The former Brighton ace has returned to full training, per Ole, and is even in contention to play for the World Champions against Bolivia. While the news will be a boost for the Reds, the prospect of him playing in the early hours of Wednesday morning could prove frustrating to his club as they aim for him to be ready to face Chelsea.

Koeman on Van Dijk return

One player returning earlier than expected is captain Virgil van Dijk. The Dutchman was controversially sent off against Hungary over the weekend and suspended for Netherlands’ second game as a result

The central defender initially planned to remain with the squad for the duration of the break, but the decision has since been made for him to return to Liverpool in a bid to best support his conditioning.

“He was a little too quick with answers,” Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman said of Van Dijk. “The fact he wanted to stay with the group is of course a great attitude, but if you look at what players play in matches these days, it is logical you send him home. So, we as staff have made the decision to send him home.”

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