Liverpool head coach says there is a chance that Mohamed Salah and Alisson Becker could feature for the Reds on Friday as they take on Aston Villa in the Premier League
16:28, 09 May 2026
Alisson Becker, Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson of Liverpool.
Alisson Becker, Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson of Liverpool.(Image: Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Mohamed Salah and Alisson Becker could both return as Liverpool travels to Aston Villa on Friday, with the pair both sitting the draw with Chelsea out this weekend.
Arne Slot says both stars are "close" to making a comeback, while the Reds will have to wait and see how Florian Wirtz feels after he was struck down by illness. Alexander Isak was only fit enough to come off the bench in the second half and Rio Ngumoha was taken off because he had cramp.
"Mo is close to returning, Ali is close to returning, but Flo [Wirtz] we have to wait and see how he is recovering after what he has," Slot explained in his post-match press conference.
READ MORE: Liverpool player ratings, winners and losers vs Chelsea as Rio Ngumoha starsREAD MORE: Arne Slot responds to Liverpool boos as fans react angrily to Rio Ngumoha decision
Liverpool is still not confirmed as finishing inside the Champions League spots, though it will end up in the top five by the time the campaign finishes.
Boos greeted the team at the final whistle on this occasion, with fans leaving early and frustrated by a dire attacking performance that was lacking in intensity and thrust.
"I don't think it was some of them — there were a lot that didn't agree with the change which is completely understandable," Slot explained on TNT Sports.
Arne Slot, Manager of Liverpool, looks on prior to the Premier League match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield
Arne Slot has vowed to win back the Liverpool fans(Image: (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images))
"He was having problems with his muscles and when I asked him he said he was not sure he could continue. I knew this would be the reaction because he is such a good player.
"So often in football, people don't know everything. I am the manager and I need to make decisions. Knowing why makes it more sense for people."
Liverpool ends the campaign with matches against Aston Villa and Brentford. Next season, Slot is confident that he can turn the mood around.
"This season, they will have their opinion and it will not change, but if we can have the summer that we are planning to have, I am 100 per cent convinced we will be a different team next season than we are now," Slot said.
Get LFC's 2025/26 season home and away kits
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Content Image
From $100
LFC.com
See the deal
Liverpool's home and away strips for the 2025/26 season are the first in their new partnership with adidas.
Fans can order jerseys in the US at Fanatics.com or via the LFC Online Store in both the US and across the world.
"Different in terms of results, different in how things look. It’s not always that simple because sometimes you know what you have to do but it’s not always possible to get exactly what you want.
"For us, for me, it is really clear what we are lacking this season and we are trying. One of the things that we are lacking is players that are fit.
"The players that we have available now, like last week, showed in the second half they want to give everything and try to push but it was not enough last week or this week to find that goal which we maybe deserved if you look at where the game was played.
Article continues below
"For me, the game was mainly played in the second half in their half, and that is what we’ve seen a lot of times this season. We’ve also seen a lot of times this season that being the dominant team does not lead to chance after chance after chance."