Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has confirmed that the Reds’ injury crisis appears to be easing ahead of Friday night’s high-stakes Premier League showdown with Aston Villa.
After a period of juggling a depleted squad, the Dutchman delivered a shot of optimism to the Anfield faithful during his pre-match press conference. Several key first-team stars, who have been sidelined with a “wide range” of knocks and fitness issues, are now back in contention to feature under the lights.
While Slot remained tight-lipped on the specific starting XI, the sight of familiar faces returning to the grass at the AXA Training Centre suggests the Reds are approaching full strength just at the right time.
It is fair to say that Arne Slot was forced to operate with one hand tied behind his back during Liverpool’s Saturday lunchtime 1-1 draw with Chelsea.
The Reds’ boss found his squad depth pushed to the absolute limit at Stamford Bridge, with several marquee names missing from the team sheet. For the second week running, Cody Gakpo was tasked with leading the line a necessity born out of a devastating season-ending injury to Hugo Ekitike.
The attacking options remained thin as Alexander Isak, still building up fitness after his own layoff, was only deemed ready for a place on the bench.
Meanwhile, the wait for Mohamed Salah continues; the Egyptian remains sidelined with a hamstring issue that is beginning to cause real concern behind the scenes at Anfield. This forced Jeremie Frimpong to step up once again, filling the void on the right wing.
All of these issues with the Dutchman’s starting XI resulted in an unsatisfactory 1-1 draw at the full-time whistle, as Enzo Fernandez somehow guided a free-kick past Giorgi Mamardashvili, who was back from injury, to clinch a share of the points.
Slot will hope that his depleted team can get back to winning ways in the Premier League against Villa, with the Reds’ Champions League status for next season still on the line.
Speaking to the media ahead of his side’s trip to the West Midlands, Slot has revealed plenty of positive news on the injury front, which will significantly boost Liverpool’s chances of an invaluable away win at Villa Park.
Slot’s injury updates ahead of Villa
Speaking to the media before his team make the journey to Villa Park, Slot was in good spirits, no doubt buoyed by positive news regarding injuries.
Indeed, the under-fire head coach revealed, during his first question, all the possible players who could return to the Liverpool starting XI against Unai Emery’s hosts.
Arne Slot has revealed that Mohamed Salah will be available for "a few minutes" against Aston Villa tomorrow.
— Nazira Yusuf (@Nazira_Yusuf22) May 14, 2026
First of all, Slot openly revealed that Salah will be back in contention for some first-team minutes against Villa, with the Egyptian winger surely then reinstated to the starting lineup for Liverpool’s final game of the campaign at Anfield against Brentford, so he can bow out in style.
“Mo will be available tomorrow but only for a few minutes,” Slot confirmed. “Hopefully he can come in.”
Moreover, the ex-Feyenoord head coach further stated that Ibrahima Konate has been back in training, as the Frenchman’s future at Liverpool past this season continues to rumble on.
To further bolster the defence, which has leaked four goals across its last two Premier League clashes, Alisson Becker might also be fit enough to play against the Villans, with Slot stating that “let’s see where he is”, as the Brazilian has endured several troubling injury issues this season.
🚨🗣️ Arne Slot:
“Mo Salah will be available for a few minutes v Aston Villa. Alisson back in training. Florian Wirtz on antibiotics. Ibrahima Konate back.” 💪🏼 pic.twitter.com/nZq5Cpq1F6
— Slotoholic (@Slotoholic) May 14, 2026
The final game of the season against Brentford could well end up being the South American’s farewell, too, as rumours continue to link Alisson with a switch to Juventus.
Lastly, Florian Wirtz sounds as if he will touch and go ahead of the encounter with Emery’s hosts, with the German playmaker completely missing against Chelsea due to illness.
Currently on antibiotics, due to a stomach infection, the ex-Bayer Leverkusen midfielder could feature in some capacity off the bench, like Salah.
All of these returning first-team faces will surely lift Liverpool’s confidence from off the floor, so that they can pick up a crucial three points on their travels, which automatically clinches their spot in the elusive Champions League.
Liverpool Champions League Qualification Scenarios:
Liverpool Result vs Villa Secondary Requirement Outcome
Win None Champions League secured
Draw Bournemouth lose/draw vs Man City Champions League secured
Loss None Qualification goes down to the final day
Will Liverpool clinch Champions League vs Villa?
The Reds face Aston Villa with both clubs contending for fourth place in the Premier League, even though fifth will also secure Champions League football next term.
The expectation will be, with all these returning faces coming into the starting XI, and on to the bench, that Slot’s men can pick up a win at Villa on Friday night.
Even a draw wouldn’t be the worst result, against their fellow Champions League chasers, as long as AFC Bournemouth were to stumble and fail to beat Manchester City on Tuesday night.
With Aston Villa potentially keeping one eye on an upcoming Europa League final, the traveling Kop will be descending upon Villa Park in their thousands on Friday night, desperate for a decisive three points.
However, as every Liverpool supporter knows all too well, the Merseyside giants rarely do things the easy way. With a staggering 11 Premier League defeats already etched into their record this season, the quest for consistency remains as elusive as ever under Arne Slot.
What should have been a straightforward march toward the finish line has turned into a scrap. The mission to secure European football is now likely to go right down to the wire, with the Anfield faithful bracing themselves for a final-day drama that has become all too familiar this term.