Liverpool injury update: Jeremie Frimpong, Mohamed Salah, Alexander Isak, Alisson Becker latest news and return dates | OneFootball

Several Reds stars could return, but new issues emerge from international break

Liverpool could welcome back several first-team players when club football resumes following the international break, but Arne Slot still faces several issues ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-final clash with Manchester City.

Mohamed Salah and Alisson Becker - both of whom missed the Brighton match directly prior to the break - are among the players pushing for a prompt return to action as the Reds aim to keep fighting on three fronts.

Elsewhere, one star could be lacing up his boots again within the next week following months on the sidelines, but another appears to have suffered a setback.

Jeremie Frimpong

Having already endured three spells on the sidelines during a disrupted debut season at Liverpool, Jeremie Frimpong was forced off with another apparent injury setback whilst on international duty for the Netherlands.

The full-back began Tuesday’s friendly against Ecuador as a substitute before replacing Reds team-mate Cody Gakpo at the start of the second half.

However, Frimpong was on the pitch for less than 15 minutes before he was replaced by Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke and headed straight down the tunnel.

Frimpong faces a race against time to be fit to start against City on Saturday

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At full-time, Dutch manager Ronald Koeman confirmed he “had to substitute” Frimpong due an injury “blow” for the 25-year-old.

No further updates were provided, but we should get one from Slot when he speaks to the media before this weekend’s FA Cup quarter-final bout.

If that match against City comes too soon for him, the Reds will once again have to turn to a makeshift right-back like Dominik Szoboszlai or Curtis Jones and hope that Frimpong recovers in time to face Paris Saint-Germain on April 8 or Fulham on April 11.

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

Mohamed Salah

When we last heard from Slot, the Liverpool boss was hopeful that Salah would be ready to return to action after the international break despite him missing both of Egypt’s friendlies through injury.

The Brighton loss was just one of a handful of Premier League matches the departing star has missed through injury since joining Liverpool in 2017, and his first fitness-enforced absence in a little over two years.

"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,” said Slot on March 20.

“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

Salah asked to be substituted after scoring against Galatasaray on March 18

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Alisson Becker

After joining Salah in missing the Brighton game due to an unspecified injury, Alisson’s international involvement for Brazil mirrored his Egyptian teammate’s.

The 33-year-old goalkeeper, who has been absent with fitness issues on several occasions this term, withdrew from the Brazilian squad due to “injury,” according to the country’s football federation, while Slot - speaking in his last post-match press conference on March 21 - said “let’s see afterwards” after confirming that Alisson would “definitely be out during the international break”.

In an update of his own via Instagram that day, the goalie said: “Unfortunately, I’ll be out of action for a while. Already working hard to be back stronger. Thank you for the support.”

The international break has provided a decent period for rest and recovery, meaning he could be fit to start between the posts against City on Saturday, but if not then Giorgi Mamardashvili will be turned to again in the interim.

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

Alexander Isak

Four months after breaking his leg against Tottenham in December, Alexander Isak is finally nearing a return to action.

The Premier League’s most expensive player has been back in training for a few weeks, although he was not involved in Sweden’s efforts to secure World Cup qualification.

Isak in Liverpool training on March 17

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Slot has not mentioned whether Isak could have a part to play against City in the FA Cup, but the Liverpool manager did say previously that his striker would be “available” to face PSG in the Champions League quarter-finals, which will be played over two legs on April 8 and 14.

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

On March 17, he added: “The fact that you see [Isak] on the pitch tells you that he gets closer and closer to joining us again.”

Potential return date: PSG (a) on April 8

Federico Chiesa

After a bout of illness, Federico Chiesa was a late substitute for Liverpool in their last three games in all competitions prior to the international break.

He then reported for Italy duty, but was subsequently sent home having been deemed unfit to play in his country’s ultimately ill-fated World Cup play-off double header against Northern Ireland and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“Federico Chiesa, whose condition was assessed upon arrival at the Federal Technical Centre, was deemed unavailable for the next two matches and, in agreement with the club, left the national team’s training camp,” the Azzurri said in a statement.

That development has cast some doubt on Chiesa’s availability for the FA Cup meeting with City, although the 28-year-old likely would have played a limited role at the Etihad anyway.

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

Wataru Endo

The most recent Liverpool’s long-term absentees to go down was Wataru Endo, whose season looks to have ended prematurely after he was stretchered off during his first Premier League start of the campaign back in February.

Having picked up a foot injury, the 33-year-old Japan international was carried off the pitch against Sunderland and is believed to be focused on targeting a return in time for this summer’s World Cup.

“Wataru will be out for a long time; we don't know exactly how long, but long,” said Slot on February 19.

Endo left the field on a stretcher on February 11 and has not featured since

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Speaking on February 28, Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu revealed he had heard that surgery on Endo’s left ankle “went well, but I don’t know the details.”

Moriyasi added: “The plan is for [Endo] to be ready in time for the World Cup, so 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

Ruptured knee ligaments were the result of Conor Bradley’s awkward landing during January’s goalless draw against Arsenal, and the right-back subsequently underwent surgery.

The club did not place a timeline on Bradley’s return when announcing his surgery on January 11, but he has not featured since and is generally expected to miss the rest of the campaign.

Potential return date: Summer 2026

Giovanni Leoni

Fellow defender Giovanni Leoni suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament on his Liverpool debut in the Carabao Cup victory over Southampton back in September.

The 19-year-old Italian centre-back, a summer signing from Parma, was ruled out for approximately 12 months after undergoing surgery, meaning he will likely miss the rest of this season and possibly the start of the upcoming campaign.