Arne Slot once again had his back to the wall on Saturday after being on the receiving end of some stick from the Anfield crowd during Liverpool’s draw with Chelsea.
Slot was booed for his decision to take off Rio Ngumoha – who he later explained was suffering from cramp – and also heard plenty of discontent from the stands at full-time.
Liverpool are still yet to qualify for next season’s Champions League, and will finally be hoping to end any doubt with Friday night’s trip to face Aston Villa.
Has Slot completely lost the fans after Anfield booed his decision to take Ngumoha off?
What was your reaction to the substitution?
And according to Slot, he could have some help from the cavalry, as he suggested that Mohamed Salah, Alisson Becker and Florian Wirtz may be fit for their penultimate match of the Premier League season.
Salah and Alisson ‘close’ to Liverpool return
With Ngumoha more or less the only player offering any kind of threat for Liverpool on Saturday, Slot did miss Salah and, more evidently, Wirtz, who was ruled out of the game through illness.
Speaking in his post-match press conference, the Liverpool head coach gave a positive update on both Salah and Alisson, and though he was more cautious over Wirtz, he could be back too.
Slot also gave an update on Ibrahima Konate, who limped off to be replaced by Joe Gomez against Chelsea.
READ MORE: Liverpool player ratings vs Chelsea: Two 3/10s tell the story of a frustrating Anfield afternoon
“Konate, we always have to wait and see, the way he limped off,” said the Dutchman.
“He told me it was cramp, let’s hope he’s right. We have to wait and see tomorrow how he feels and how it works out.
“Mo is close to returning, Ali is close to returning. With Flo we have to wait and see how he’s recovering after what he has.”
Liverpool will need to be much better to get anything at Villa Park next week. Hopefully some returning faces can help to make the difference.
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