Liverpool news: Arne Slot confirms brutal injury setback as “fight” message issued

Liverpool are back in action this weekend as they welcome Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea to Anfield and the Reds have a few injury concerns ahead of the showdown with the Blues

Liverpool will be aiming to hold onto the Premier League top spot as they return to action.

A number of Reds have jetted off to all corners of the globe over the past fortnight for the latest round of international fixtures. Luckily, it appears that Arne Slot’s men return with a clean bill of health.

They will need it too with a testing fixture ahead of them this weekend. Liverpool take on a resurgent Chelsea side at Anfield on Sunday.

And the Reds have already been hard at work ahead of the clash with Enzo Maresca’s side. Take a look at the latest Liverpool headlines ahead of Sunday’s showdown:

Slot confirms ‘uncommon’ blow

Arne Slot has admitted that Alisson’s injury is “uncommon” with the Brazilian sidelined until at least next month. The goalkeeper was injured during the victory against Crystal Palace before the international break.

"It's uncommon for goalkeepers," Slot said ahead of the Chelsea game. "At Feyenoord I had the same with my goalkeeper, getting muscles injuries. We are looking into it and what the reasons are. If you get one the chances of another go up so we have tried to be careful.

"But also it's a good chance to explain again, there were some things about me not disliking 12:30 kick-offs but if you play Wednesday evening, it might be disadvantage to play 12:30pm after Champions League game...the chances for injury go up."

Alisson is still sidelined for this weekend’s game, with Caoimhin Kelleher expected to be called upon against Chelsea.

Image: Getty Images) Getty Images)

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Mamardashvili sends warning

On the topic of goalkeepers, Incoming Liverpool star Giorgi Mamardashvili has warned Alisson that he has a fight on his hands to keep his starting spot. "I was attracted by the Liverpool project when the club's representatives met with me to sign me,” he told Georgian TV’s First Channel.

“I will fight for the starting goalkeeper position, even if the current goalkeeper does not leave the team. I am fully focused, 100 percent, on helping my team keep its place in La Liga. I will work hard for that. We have not been lucky with the schedule at the start of the season.

"We have had to play against big teams like Barcelona, Atlético and Athletic. Now there are matches coming up in which we can take points. We look to the future with hope."

Gakpo eyes trophy haul

Cody Gakpo claims that he and his Liverpool teammates are aiming to ‘win everything’ this season. “Hopefully we can win everything. It’s the start of the season, we are in all competitions ,and when you participate in a competition you participate to win," Gakpo told Sky Sports when asked for his aims this season.

“So that’s our goal and I think last season we showed we can do it. We were very close to a lot of things but missed it in the end a little bit, but that gives us hope and strength that we know we could come that far.

"So this year we are going to push even further. We have a good group, a lot of quality. We’ve known each other a little bit longer now, so yeah, all those things help.”

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