Liverpool injury latest and possible return dates including Mohamed Salah and Florian Wirtz ahead of Arne Slot's side taking on Aston Villa and Brentford in the next two weeks
20:43, 09 May 2026
Mohamed Salah watches on as Liverpool plays Chelsea in the Premier League.
Mohamed Salah watches on as Liverpool plays Chelsea in the Premier League.(Image: PETER POWELL / AFP via Getty Images)
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot was without several key players as his side drew 1-1 with Chelsea but he might get a double boost ahead of facing Aston Villa on Friday.
The decision to take off Rio Ngumoha in the second half at Anfield did not go down well, but Slot later explained that he had was feeling the effects of the game and therefore needed to come off.
"No, not injured," Slot said. "He had cramps before that, three minutes [before] where he went to the floor. Then I had contact with him and he said that it was enough, so that's why I took him off."
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
Alexander Isak was only fit enough to come off the bench in the second half, while Florian Wirtz missed out completely through illness. Slot is hopeful that he will be back to play at Villa Park.
Alisson Becker and Mohamed Salah have both been "close" to coming back for a week or so. Slot said there is a chance the pair could return for Aston Villa as well.
Goalkeeper Alisson has not featured since Liverpool hammered Galatasaray in the Champions League. Salah, meanwhile, said he would be back by the Brentford game at the latest in a recent interview with Steven Gerrard.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot on the Anfield touchline.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot on the Anfield touchline.(Image: PETER POWELL / AFP via Getty Images)
Like Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni and Wataru Endo are all out for the long-term. The latter three should hopefully be back in time to feature in pre-season.
Jayden Danns and Stefan Bajcetic have both been sidelined for some time. The young duo are being carefully brought back to fitness after suffering with long-term problems.
"I knew the moment his number went up that that would have been the reaction," Slot said on the change that saw Ngumoha taken off in the second half.
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"But that's not a reason then not to do it and keep a player in the team that tells me he cannot continue.
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"And after the game, I think it also makes sense because I don't think this club should be happy with a 1-1 result against Chelsea.
"We always aim for a win and if we don't win then we're disappointed.
"And especially in a season where we haven't won a lot or not as much as people expect us to do then it's just building up frustration and that came out probably after half-time. But I think the players and myself had the same frustration as the fans."