Arne Slot confirms Liverpool injury latest before Merseyside derby clash | OneFootball

Liverpool boss also delivered a fitness update on summer signing Alexander Isak ahead of the Merseyside derby

Arne Slot has confirmed that Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones is in contention to return against Everton.

Liverpool welcome their neighbours to Anfield on Saturday for the first Merseyside derby of the season, hoping to maintain their perfect start to the season.

In the Premier League, the Reds are the only team in the division with an 100 per cent winning record having beaten Bournemouth, Newcastle, Arsenal and Burnley to sit top of the table.

Confidence in the Liverpool camp will be high after leaving it late once again to claim three points in their Champions League opener against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night, despite throwing away a two-goal lead.

For the European tie, Slot had a near fully-fit squad to choose from and in a massive boost, he is set to welcome Jones back from injury for the Merseyside derby.

Jones has not featured for Liverpool since the 1-0 win over Arsenal before the international break as a fitness issue has sidelined the midfielder in the last two games.

Speaking in the pre-match press conference on Friday, Slot confirmed the Reds’ No17 is available for selection again.

“He’s back in the fray,” Slot said. “In the squad I would say.”

Boost: Curtis Jones

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Jones’ return means Liverpool have no injury concerns ahead of the Everton game, but Slot will make a late decision as to whether summer signing Alexander Isak can start a second game in three days.

“I don't think I will tell the media a lot the day before the game how we start,” the Dutchman added. “Recovery yesterday and we train this afternoon, so it is how we all feel.

“Alex felt his body more than ever before his hour, so let's see how he has recovered today and we will think about the lineup.

"The change of routine has to do with the early kick off, so we gave them a bit of extra time to recover and a lot of that is sleep, as we all know.

“We had to play 3 games in a week which we have to do a lot but not many times in six days. Sunday, Wednesday, Saturday is not a schedule you see a lot."