Liverpool's injury situation is improving but not in time for the Merseyside derby with Everton
Sport
Updated 14:09, 06 Dec 2024
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Arne Slot speaks at his Liverpool press conference to preview the trip to neighbours Everton
Arne Slot speaks at his Liverpool press conference to preview the trip to neighbours Everton
Arne Slot has confirmed that Alisson Becker is closing in on a return from injury for Liverpool but remains sidelined for the Merseyside derby clash with Everton. The Reds goalkeeper has not played since suffering a hamstring injury against Crystal Palace back in October.
Liverpool are set to be without seven players for the trip to Goodison Park as Alexis Mac Allister serves a suspension. But Slot insisted that he is not concerned about his midfield options as he offered an injury update ahead of facing the Blues.
While there was positive news about Alisson, Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa, the Dutchman suggested that the trio are not yet ready to make their first team returns.
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“Not ready yet, no,” Slot said of Alisson. “But he will be ready very soon. Diogo close to being back, Federico close to being back and the same for Alisson. Ibou (Ibrahima Konate), Conor (Bradley) and Kostas (Tsimikas) are a bit further away from playing time.
“That line (midfield) is not our main worry but our main worry is how close they’re all back with playing time, there are only three injuries in our last line.”
With Alisson still sidelined, Caoimhin Kelleher will keep his place against Everton. And despite the Republic of Ireland international being at fault for Newcastle United’s last-minute equaliser in Liverpool’s 3-3 draw at St. James’ Park in midweek, Slot insisted the keeper should be confident heading into the trip to Goodison Park.
“Yeah, definitely (Kelleher has credit in the bank). It was on 1-0 where Joe Gomez made a mistake, they went through one-v-one and he saved it,” Slot said. “That could have been the 2-0 so he saved us in that moment.
“So maybe he saved us a point because if we go 2-0 down, you never know what could happen afterwards, but things would have been even harder for us.
“Unfortunately for Caoimh, and that is the position he is in, if you make a mistake as a goalkeeper or you make a misjudgement, it is very difficult for someone else to cover it up for you.
“He has done that for us a few times for us. If someone else makes a mistake, a player, he is always there to help us. Unfortunately we as a team were not able to help him, mostly, if he misjudges a ball because he is our last player.
“I think he is in a good place, although he is disappointed like all the others because we dropped points from a winning situation one minute before the end. But he can go into this game with a lot of confidence, let that be clear.”
Meanwhile, Slot also dodged questions about Virgil van Dijk’s future following a report earlier in the week that the Liverpool captain had been offered a new contract.
“What do you think the answer is going to be?” he joked, alluding to previous times where he has not commented on the situation. “Your boss is always telling you you have to have to check.
“Maybe tell your boss you always get the same answer so it’s a bit boring for the people to listen to at the press conference.”