Evening Standard
·24. November 2024
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·24. November 2024
Arne Slot handed one major fitness boost as Reds bid to extend title lead at St Mary’s
Liverpool are boosted by the fitness of captain Virgil van Dijk for their game against Southampton.
Van Dijk returned home early from international duty with the Netherlands but the centre-back starts at St Mary’s.
Arne Slot has gone with a midfield three of Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones.
Darwin Nunez starts in attack alongside Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is still unavailable after a hamstring problem.
Alisson is back in light training but he is not ready to return so Caoimhin Kelleher continues in goal.
Sidelined: Trent Alexander-Arnold has been dealing with an injury recently for Liverpool
AFP via Getty Images
Harvey Elliott is back on the bench.
Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa are still unavailable.
"Virgil is all good,” said Slot on Friday. “Trent isn’t training with us yet, but he is getting there so we expect him to be back with us soon.
“[Alisson] is back in training with the goalkeeper coach. He is not training with the team yet, but that is expected to be done soon, and then let’s wait and see where he is in terms of match fitness. He is getting better and better, but not ready to play [on] Sunday.
“Jota is still apart from the group, same as Federico, who is coming back into the session maybe in one exercise today.
“They are all expected to be back within now and a few weeks, but the last part of the recovery is always the most difficult one. So, let’s wait and see.”
Confirmed Liverpool XI: Kelleher; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Jones; Salah, Nunez, Gakpo
Subs: Jaros, Davies, Gomez, Enzo, Diaz, Mac Allister, Elliott, Quansah, Morton
Time and date: 2pm GMT on Sunday November 24, 2024
Venue: St Mary’s Stadium, Southampton
TV channel and live stream: Sky Sports