Liverpool injury update: Hugo Ekitike, Mohamed Salah, Alisson Becker latest news and return dates | OneFootball

Four star names in a race to be fit for huge FA Cup and Champions League tests

Liverpool will spend the international break sweating over the fitness of four star names.

While Isak has been out since December with a broken leg, so will take longer to get back up to speed, it is hoped that Alisson and Salah will be able to slot straight back in for two huge tests.

Elsewhere, three other players are not expected to play again this season.

With that in mind, here’s the latest Liverpool injury news and potential return dates...

Hugo Ekitike

Liverpool will be left sweating over Hugo Ekitike’s fitness after the striker was forced off against Brighton with an injury.

The striker lasted just eight minutes on the south coast, after coming off worse from a collision with James Milner.

Ekitike initially tried to carry on, having been taken to the side of the pitch to receive medical attention, but quickly admitted defeat and was replaced by Curtis Jones.

The nature of the injury remained unclear during the game, though replays suggested the striker had suffered a dead leg and Slot appeared to confirm as much at full-time.

Potential return date: Man City (a) on April 4

Mohamed Salah

REUTERS

Mohamed Salah

Mohamed Salah is set to miss Egypt's two international friendlies through injury.

It is a rare fitness issue for Salah, who has missed missing just 10 Premier League matches through injury since joining Liverpool in 2017, and this is his first since a hamstring problem in January 2024.

He scored against Galatasaray, but then asked to be substituted after picking up a knock which subsequently ruled him out of the trip to Brighton.

Asked for more details on Salah’s unspecified injury or a potential timeframe for his return, Arne Slot was vague.

He told reporters: "The good thing for Liverpool is that we go to an international break. The bad thing for Egypt is that he can't go there.

“We are hoping that with what Mo has shown in the past, he can recover faster than other players might in similar situations.

“He takes such good care of his body and history has shown he can be back earlier than others.

“But it’s only two weeks until we go again, so let’s hope in that period of time he can be back.”

Potential return date: Man City (a) on April 4

Alisson Becker

Alisson Becker has been sidelined with another injury, ruling him out of Brazil’s two games during the international break.

The 33-year-old had only just returned to action for Liverpool following a fitness issue that forced him to miss the Champions League last-16 first leg defeat to Galatasaray last week.

He was back in goal for the 1-1 draw with Tottenham and the 4-0 second-leg win over the Turkish giants.

But Alisson has since withdrawn from international duty with an unspecified injury.

A statement from the Brazilian Football Confederation reads: “Goalkeeper Hugo Souza is called up to the Brazilian National Team.

“He will replace Alisson, who is sidelined due to injury.”

In his post-match press conference after the Brighton loss, Slot said: "Alisson will definitely be out during the international break and let's see afterwards.”

Potential return date: Man City (a) on April 4

Alexander Isak

Getty Images

Alexander Isak

Alexander Isak is finally nearing a return to action, over four months since breaking his leg against Tottenham in December.

It was hoped that the most expensive player in Premier League history would be able to help his country, Sweden, in their World Cup play-off later in March, but those come a few weeks too soon.

Arne Slot now expects Isak to be in contention for the Champions League quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain in the first half of April.

“He will be available [against PSG],” Slot said. “The question is what you mean by ‘ready’.

“If you want to have the player who played exactly a year ago against us in the Carabao Cup final, and was too good for us on that day, then I would tell you I have my doubts about that after months out. But I expect I can use him for minutes.

“Exactly what I get from that I cannot tell you because he hasn’t trained with the team even once. You don’t after one training session play 45 minutes or 90 minutes.”

Potential return date: PSG (a) on April 8

Wataru Endo

A tough season for Wataru Endo has ended prematurely in February after he was stretchered off against Sunderland on what was his first Premier League start of the campaign.

The 33-year-old picked up a foot injury, and is now expected to miss the remainder of the season.

“Wata will be out for a long time,” Arne Slot said soon after. “We don't know exactly how long - but long."

Endo is hoping to recover in time for the summer World Cup, with Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu recently revealing: “The rehabilitation process from surgery onwards is being considered.

“In order to play in the World Cup, he, the club, and we all share the same understanding.”

Potential return date: June 2026

Conor Bradley

Liverpool FC via Getty Images

Conor Bradley

Conor Bradley ruptured ligaments in a knee when landing awkwardly during a goalless draw against Arsenal in January.

It was initially feared that the right-back had suffered an ACL tear, but he avoided the worst-case scenario.

Bradley still required surgery and was promptly ruled out for the remainder of the season.

Potential return date: Summer 2026

Giovanni Leoni

Giovanni Leoni sustained a torn anterior cruciate ligament on his Liverpool debut in the Carabao Cup win over Southampton back in September.

As a result, Leoni will miss the rest of the season and likely the start of the next.

The young Italian defender, a summer signing from Parma, was ruled out for approximately 12 months after surgery.