Liverpool FC v Bologna FC 1909 - UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD2
Diogo Jota has been out of action since October (Picture: Getty Images)
Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa are expected to be available for Liverpool’s Premier League clash with Fulham on Saturday, reveals manager Arne Slot.
The Reds host the Cottagers this weekend as they look to maintain their four-point lead over Chelsea at the top of the table.
Slot will be boosted by positive injury news in his forward line, with Jota and Chiesa both nearing match fitness again.
The Portuguese forward has been out since October with a rib injury, while summer-signing Chiesa has made just one Premier League appearance so far.
The nature of the Italian’s injury has not been entirely clear but he has not been fit and available since late September, however, he did play and score for the Under-21 side last week and appears to be close to a return.
‘I think they are (available),’ Slot told a press conference on Friday morning of Jota and Chiesa. ‘We have one training session to go. Federico missed quite a lot. We have to see. Maybe Diogo is in the squad, maybe Federico as well but that depends on the numbers we have.’
On Chiesa’s struggles, Slot added: ‘What makes it difficult is we play so many games. What he needs is playing time.
Liverpool FC v Bayer 04 Leverkusen - UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4
Federico Chiesa has made just one Premier League appearance so far (Picture: Getty Images)
‘If you haven’t played for five or six months, it is sometimes difficult for a manager to give him those minutes because you don’t know what to expect.
‘Maybe the Southampton game would be a good game to give him minutes. He needs to get his fitness level. He needs playing time. But it is not always to find these minutes.’
Liverpool face Southampton in the Carabao Cup quarter-final on Wednesday at St Mary’s.
Liverpool FC v Real Madrid C.F. - UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5
Arne Slot is still missing some players in defence (Picture: Getty Images)
One player who is certainly available this weekend is Alisson Becker after he made his return from injury against Girona in the Champions League in midweek.
‘It has to be shown in the upcoming weeks and months that he can stay available,’ the manager said of the goalkeeper. ‘Hopefully he doesn’t get same amount of work when he plays.’
Still expected to be out of action this weekend are the defensive trio of Ibrahima Konate, Conor Bradley and Kostas Tsimikas.
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