Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has confirmed that Virgil van Dijk is fit to face Southampton this weekend, but several other key players will require more time to recover.
The Dutch defender left the Netherlands squad earlier in the week due to fitness concerns but has since returned to training ahead of the Premier League’s resumption.
Slot has indicated that Van Dijk has been cleared to play this weekend.
However, the news is less encouraging for Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The right-back, whose contract is set to expire next summer along with Van Dijk’s, did not link up with the England squad after sustaining an injury during Liverpool’s 3-0 victory over Aston Villa.
Alexander-Arnold has yet to resume training, though Slot does not expect his absence to be prolonged.
Meanwhile, Harvey Elliott has returned to action but may be a few weeks away from full-match fitness.
Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa are also expected to take more time before being ready for selection.
Slot said in his press conference: “Trent and Virgil? I was expecting a different question! Virgil is all good.
‘Trained with us today. Trent not training yet but he is getting there, we expect him back soon.
“Harvey [Elliott] is with us now, been out for many weeks but with the team now on the pitch. Jota is still the same as Federico who is coming back into the session after one exercise today.
“All expected back in a few weeks but the last part of recovery is always the hardest, so let’s wait and see. Virgil is fine.”
On Alisson, Slot said: “We’re careful with everyone when it comes to muscles.
“He is back in training with the goalkeeper coach and not training with the team but that is expected soon.
“Let’s wait and see where he is in terms of match fitness, getting better and better but not ready.”
Read more: Man United chiefs reportedly at odds after summer of ‘shambles’ resulted in Erik ten Hag’s sacking
Alisson Becker ‘not yet ready’ for Liverpool return at Southampton
Premier League clubs vote to approve changes to rules governing commercial deals
