Alexander Isak, Alisson likely to miss Liverpools Premier League clash against Aston Villa
Defending champions Liverpool will be without Alexander Isak and Alisson for the Premier League clash against Aston Villa on Saturday.
New Delhi: Struggling Liverpool will take on Aston Villa in Saturday night's Premier League clash at Anfield. The defending champions have lost their last four matches out of the five in the league, while Aston Villa have won their last four games.
Ahead of the must-win clash to ease the pressure, the Reds are likely to miss the services of Alexander Isak and Allison. The duo is yet to return to training, and Slot told reporters that he was nearly certain of their absence against Villa.
Ryan Gravenberch has returned to team training and may be included, subject to fitness. Arne Slot's options remain stretched as he assesses player fitness in the final hours before the match. The loss of two key players, and with doubts over Gravenberch, has intensified criticism on Liverpool’s squad depth.
"I’m 99.9% sure they are not in the squad on Saturday," Slot said.
'It has been more difficult than last season to keep them all available'
Despite the injury setbacks, Slot said there will be no excuses for poor results. Liverpool are currently in seventh place in the Premier League standings, seven points behind leaders Arsenal.
Their recent form includes a 3–0 League Cup defeat to Crystal Palace. Despite the significant investment of £446 million during the summer transfer window, the club has struggled to find consistency.
"We miss nothing. I am completely happy with the team and with all the quality that we have, and I am also completely convinced by the strategy and the policy that we have, but not all of them have had a proper pre-season or have been injured," Slot added.
The Liverpool manager further added that it has been more difficult for him than last season to keep all the players fit, and they were lucky with the injuries in the title-winning campaign.