Alexander Isak was a notable absentee from Liverpool's squad against Aston Villa, with Alisson Becker and Jeremie Frimpong also missing for the penultimate Premier League game of the season
19:24, 15 May 2026Updated 19:29, 15 May 2026
Liverpool's Swedish striker #09 Alexander Isak reacts during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on May 9, 2026
Alexander Isak was abent for Liverpool against Aston Villa(Image: Getty Images)
Arne Slot has addressed Alexander Isak's absence after the Liverpool striker was one of three big names missing from the Reds' squad against Aston Villa.
Liverpool went into its penultimate game of the season against Aston Villa knowing that a win would secure Champions League qualification, but anything less than three points could lead to a nervy final day against Brentford next weekend.
The Reds were boosted by the returns of Mohamed Salah and Florian Wirtz to the squad at Villa Park, with the former having just two games remaining before he brings the curtain down on his Liverpool career. Once again though, there was more bad news on the injury front.
READ MORE: Aston Villa vs Liverpool LIVE: Salah and Wirtz return, Isak and Alisson missing, how to watch and streamREAD MORE: Trent Alexander-Arnold agreement reached as ex-Liverpool star already outlined return plan
Isak was left out of the squad with what Slot described as a "minor injury", with the decision made as a precaution due to his fitness and injury problems this season. Liverpool does hope to have him back for the final game of the season against Brentford though.
Alisson Becker and Jeremie Frimpong were also missing, with Slot having detailed his doubts over the former's fitness ahead of the game, while the latter has had a few injury problems already this season.
Speaking to Sky Sports before the game on Isak's absence, Slot said: “I don’t think it can come as a surprise to anyone.
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“Today we miss nine players that can start a game of football. The good thing is that Florian is on the bench, Mo is on the bench. Both not able to start.
“Indeed, Alex is out – minor injury. I think it’s something we all understand, if you miss pre-season, if you then have a broken leg, when you are coming back we’ve been really careful with him.
“But, of course, Hugo Ekitike was injured. And then it’s not a surprise I think that you can pick up minor injuries like this.”
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 25: Mohamed Salah of Liverpool applauds the fans as he goes off injured during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Crystal Palace at Anfield on April 25, 2026 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Mohamed Salah was back in the Liverpool squad vs Aston Villa(Image: Getty Images)
Asked how pleased he was to have Salah and Wirtz back, Slot added: "A lot, a lot of course. Because these are players that can make a difference for any team, so also for us.
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“It’s very nice to have them back, although ideally you are able to start them. But that’s not possible yet.
“I have to give Mo a lot of compliments how fast he is back, because that’s not always a given with the injury he picked up. He worked really hard to be back.
“The same can be said about Flo. Happy that they are here to help the team if needed.”