Arne Slot has revealed a surprise boost for Liverpool with Giorgi Mamardashvili set to return, while providing a hopeful update on Alexander Isak‘s fitness.
Liverpool head into Saturday’s clash with Chelsea with a six first-team players confirmed to be out and doubts over a number of others.
Slot held his pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon and was asked to provide an update on the likes of Isak, Alisson and Mohamed Salah.
Here’s what the Liverpool head coach had to say.
Alexander Isak “trains with us again”
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, April 7, 2026: Liverpool's Ibrahima Konaté (L) and Alexander Isak during a training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the UEFA Champions League Quarter-Final 1st Leg match between Paris Saint-Germain FC and Liverpool FC. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“Alex trains with us again. Only yesterday for the first time. So that’s a positive, let’s see.
“Yesterday he did parts of it, so hopefully he can do parts or everything today and then let’s see how much we’re going to use him tomorrow.”
Alisson “very close” but not training
“Alisson not yet, doesn’t train with us yet, but very close to.”
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Giorgi Mamardashvili surprise return
“Giorgi will train with us today for the first time, so let’s see how he’s going to react.”
Mohamed Salah “like Ali”: “Very, very, very close”
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, April 25, 2026: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah complains about his hamstring to head coach Arne Slot (L) as he is substituted off during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“Mo also doesn’t train with us yet but is also, like Ali, getting very, very, very close.”
Why Ibrahima Konate missed training on Wednesday
“Ibou had a personal reason to not be there, but he was there yesterday and today again.”
Florian Wirtz back after illness
“Florian was a bit unwell [on Wednesday], but he trained with us yesterday also.
“I think Flo is available, but let’s see today.”
Who else is missing for Liverpool vs. Chelsea?
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, April 14, 2026: Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike lies on the floor Injured holding his ankle during the UEFA Champions League Quarter-Final 2nd Leg match between Liverpool FC and Paris Saint-Germain FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
While Mamardashvili and Isak could make the squad and both Konate and Wirtz should be in contention to start, Slot will be without a host of first-team players.
Along with Alisson and Salah, Liverpool are still missing Hugo Ekitike (Achilles), Giovanni Leoni (ACL), Conor Bradley (knee), Wataru Endo (foot), Jayden Danns (hamstring) and Stefan Bajcetic (hamstring).
Slot could make changes from the side that lost 3-2 at Man United last weekend, not least with Mamardashvili potentially taking over from Freddie Woodman in goal.
Milos Kerkez is in line to replace Andy Robertson at left-back, while Rio Ngumoha and Joe Gomez are further options to rotate.