Arne Slot has provided the latest update on the fitness of his Liverpool squad ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash with Fulham at Craven Cottage.
The title-chasing Reds have restored their 12-point lead over second-placed Arsenal after securing a slender 1-0 home win over Merseyside rivals Everton at Anfield on Wednesday night.
Diogo Jota‘s second-half strike was enough to secure maximum points on a night somewhat marred by James Tarkowski‘s poor challenge on Alexis Mac Allister that surprisingly avoided a straight red card.
Fortunately for Liverpool, Mac Allister does not appear to have sustained an injury despite being caught just below the knee by the studs of Everton defender Tarkowski, but the Reds will be without at least two senior players for the trip to Fulham.
Indeed, Slot has confirmed that Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez remain sidelined as they continue to recover from respective ankle and hamstring injuries.
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Alisson, Bradley to be assessed before Fulham trip
The Dutchman has also revealed that Liverpool must continue to assess the availability of goalkeeper Alisson Becker and right-back Conor Bradley ahead of Sunday’s 2.00pm kickoff.
Alisson was absent from the matchday squad on Wednesday as the Brazilian continues to follow concussion protocols after a collision while on international duty last month.
Bradley, meanwhile, was also not involved against Everton as a hamstring problem continues to be monitored, but he has returned to training.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday morning, Slot said: “Of course, Trent [Alexander-Arnold] and Joe [Gomez] will not be back in the upcoming weeks. Conor, we have to wait and see if he is ready to be with the squad for Sunday.
“And with [Alisson], it is simple: it is a concussion and you have to tick all the boxes. The moment he does, he will be in goal. The moment he doesn’t, we are following the protocol.”
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“The boys still didn’t come in yet,” the Dutchman added: “I hope because Macca [Mac Allister] finished the game that it is all good with him.
“But sometimes adrenaline or just keeping on running can help you, and then when you have a night of sleep you can come back and feel, ‘Hmm, maybe I do feel something now.’
“But I hope and expect everybody is ready to play on Sunday again from the ones that were on the pitch yesterday.”
Jones could continue at right-back for Liverpool
Asked whether Curtis Jones could continue at right-back this weekend, Slot said: “That also depends on if players are coming back… of course Curtis is an option because he did well.
“But I think Jarell [Quansah] did well a few times in that position also. Let’s wait and see which decision we make on Sunday.”
Liverpool are now focussed on winning their fifth consecutive Premier League game and on Sunday come up against a Fulham side whom they drew 2-2 with in the reverse fixture at Anfield in December.
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