Struggling Liverpool head into Saturday’s Premier League clash with Aston Villa looking to end a dismal run of six losses in their last seven matches across all competitions, but will be devoid of the services of shot-stopper Alisson and record signing Alexander Isak, manager Arne Slot said on Friday.
Isak and Alisson are yet to return to training, and Slot told reporters that he was nearly certain of the duo’s absence as Unai Emery’s Villa come visiting.
“I’m 99.9% sure they are not in the squad on Saturday,” Slot said.
Ryan Gravenberch who returned to training on Thursday, could start for the Reds, offering some positive news for Slot’s reigning champions, who are currently seven points behind league leaders Arsenal in seventh place and facing
a series of tough games.
“In the final phase of recovery, things can either slow down or speed up, but Ryan trained with us yesterday and will train with us today. Then we will decide if he is able to start,” Slot said.
The Merseyside team’s challenging start, which included a disappointing fourth-round League Cup exit with a 3-0 defeat by Crystal Palace on Wednesday, comes despite the club spending £446 million on new recruits in the close season.
However, Slot said he was pleased with his squad as he stated, “We lack nothing. I am completely happy with the team and all the quality we have. I am also fully convinced by our strategy and policy, but not everyone had a proper pre-season or have been injured.”
“When three or four players are injured, you end up with 16 players,” Slot added. “We must keep them fit as we did last season… A few others missed out on pre-season or had injuries during it.
“It has been harder than last season to keep everyone available. Maybe last season we were luckier and now we are less fortunate. But, no excuses for our results before people mention this.”
Villa have won their last four league matches and are one place behind Slot’s team in the table, although they are level on points.
Liverpool then host LaLiga leaders Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday before travelling to fifth-place Manchester City on November 9.
