Liverpool handed huge double injury boost as Arne Slot reveals Mohamed Salah and Alisson latest | OneFootball

Key trio are set for a return in massive boost to Reds’ Champions League hopes

Liverpool have been handed a massive injury boost as Arne Slot confirmed that Mohamed Salah and Alisson Becker were ready to return to action.

Both have been sidelined for periods with respective problems, with Salah dealing with a “minor muscle injury” that the Reds confirmed late last month, and Alisson out with a hamstring issue.

Now, however, as the reigning Premier League champions prepare for their trip to Villa Park on Friday, Slot has issued good news regarding the two stars.

The Dutchman said that Salah would be ready for “a few minutes” against Villa, while he also revealed that first-choice goalkeeper Alisson was back in training.

He also issued an update on defender Ibrahima Konate, who was forced off in the 1-1 draw against Chelsea.

Florian Wirtz, the big-money summer signing, has been struck down with a stomach bug but is fighting to feature at Villa on Friday.

“Konate is OK, trained with us. Salah is available for a few minutes but hopefully can come in. Alisson, trained with us, let's see where he is.

“Wirtz - stomach infection so let's see how fit he is. He is on antibiotics."

Blow turned to boost: Ibrahima Konate

PA

Liverpool travel to Birmingham to open the Premier League’s penultimate round of fixtures, and this game will play a huge part in the race to qualify for the Champions League.

Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United have all secured their place’s in Europe’s premier competition next term, and there are five slots up for grabs thanks to the English top flight’s placing in the UEFA coefficient rankings.

Liverpool and Villa occupy fourth and fifth, with Bournemouth in sixth looking to upset the apple cart late on.

Slot and Emery’s sides are tied on 59 points, although the Merseysiders are eight goals better off than their rivals.

A win for either would clinch a Champions League place next season, leaving the losers needing to battle it out with Bournemouth - and potentially Brighton - for fifth.