All eyes were on Liverpool’s Kirkby training base on Monday as Arne Slot ‘s first-team squad reported back for duty following the recent international break.
The Reds will have gone 17 days without a game by the time they take on Everton on Wednesday night, and Liverpool has played just one Premier League match since 26 February. But a lot has happened during the international break, with Trent Alexander-Arnold dominating the headlines as he edges closer to a move to Real Madrid.
Excluding a brief Instagram story posted by Mohamed Salah on Saturday, the Liverpool right-back hasn’t been seen since last week’s reports emerged, but footage released by the club on Monday showed Alexander-Arnold greeting teammates as he returned to the Reds’ AXA Training Centre.
The 26-year-old won’t be in action this week however, due to an ankle injury that is expected to keep him out for a few more weeks. Alexander-Arnold was almost certainly working on his recovery at Kirkby, rather than training with the team.
So was Joe Gomez, who hasn’t played since 9 February due to a hamstring injury he sustained in the FA Cup exit against Plymouth Argyle. The defender has been progressing with his fitness work and should return before the end of the season.
Liverpool also suffered two injury scares during the break with Alisson and Ryan Gravenberch returning early from their respective international duties. The latter didn’t play at all for the Netherlands due to illness, while Alisson had to drop out due to concussion protocols after suffering a sickening head collision with Davinson Sanchez in a 2-1 win over Colombia.
Thankfully, Alisson has already revealed he is recovering well and he, along with Gravenberch, trained on Monday and should be available to face Everton. Both are regular starters for Slot and were involved in the chaotic 2-2 draw at Goodison Park earlier this season.
(Image: Getty Images)
Elsewhere, Conor Bradley is still expected to miss out, meaning Jarell Quansah could continue at right-back as he did last time against Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final.
Liverpool returns from the hiatus in the club game with a 12-point gap over chasers Arsenal, who welcome back Bukayo Saka for the midweek match against Fulham. With nine games remaining, Liverpool fans are counting the weeks until hopefully their side is confirmed as champions.
After hosting Everton, next up it’s a trip to Fulham, before matches against West Ham United, Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur this month.
