Arne Slot has revealed that Conor Bradley could potentially return to the Liverpool squad against Fulham as he waits for a medical green light on Alisson Becker.
The Liverpool No.1 sat out the Merseyside derby victory over Everton on Wednesday after suffering a concussion injury while on international duty with Brazil. Speaking ahead of the game, Slot revealed that Alisson “didn’t tick all the boxes” to meet the Premier League protocol in order to play.
Caoimhin Kelleher again deputized and will do so again at Craven Cottage, should Alisson again be unable to make it. Slot spoke to the media on Thursday and provided an injury update on his missing players.
“With Ali it is simple. It is a concussion and we have to tick all the boxes. The moment he does, he will be in goal. But we are following the protocol,” the Liverpool boss said.
Curtis Jones was handed a start against Everton at right-back with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joe Gomez and Bradley all missing through injury. Slot added: “Trent and Joe will not be back in the upcoming weeks. Conor, we will have to wait and see if he is ready to be with the squad for Sunday.
“Curtis is an option because he did well but Jarell did well in that position a few times already. It is very useful to me. Richard and myself talk a lot about this season and next season and it is nice to have versatile players. Curtis is definitely one of them.
“When you give Curtis a challenge, he enjoys it whereas some players would rather stay in their comfort zone. It isn’t his normal position but he is the type of player to take on the challenge. It is up to him, if I play him again on Sunday, to show that consistency.”
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Slot was also asked about Alexis Mac Allister’s fitness after he was on the receiving end of a reckless challenge from Everton skipper James Tarkowski. The defender escaped a red card although the PGMOL has confirmed that a mistake was made not to send him off.
The Liverpool boss added: “The boys aren’t in yet but I hope that because he finished the game that Macca is OK. Sometimes the adrenaline helps you get through the game. But I hope and expect that everyone who played against Everton is OK for Sunday.”
Liverpool’s win over Everton extended its lead at the top of the Premier League to 12 points before this weekend’s games. However, Arsenal can cut it back down to nine when it travels to Goodison Park on Saturday.
