Arne Slot held his pre-Aston Villa press conference on Thursday morning ahead of Liverpool’s penultimate game of the season.
After drawing with Chelsea last time out, the Reds are yet to secure Champions League football and are being chased down by Bournemouth.
A number of Liverpool players were missing for last week’s stalemate. But Slot has provided a positive injury update ahead of Friday night’s match against Unai Emery’s team, saying Mohamed Salah should be back in the squad but likely only for a ‘few minutes’.
Give us your predictions for Liverpool’s crucial trip to Villa Park this Friday
Will the Reds finally secure Champions League qualification?
Mohamed Salah set to return for Liverpool vs Aston Villa
The Dutchman spoke to the media on May 14 and player fitness was a big talking point.
Salah, Alisson Becker and Florian Wirtz all missed out against Chelsea, but there is some good news for the trio ahead of Villa.
Speaking to the press, Slot said that Salah will be back in the squad, but it does not sound like he will be in the eleven, potentially only coming off the bench.
Meanwhile, Ibrahima Konate seems fine, Alisson remains a doubt, and Wirtz could feature.
Slot stated: “Ibou’s okay, trained with us. Mo will be available for us tomorrow only for a few minutes, but hopefully can come in.
“Alisson, trains with us again, let’s see if he’s ready or has to wait for one more week.
“And the fourth one was Florian, stomach infection, so let’s see how fit he is for tomorrow.”
If Wirtz cannot feature, it is likely we will see Dominik Szoboszlai remain as the 10, with Curtis Jones or Joe Gomez featuring at right-back.
But Jones was questionable last time out, so perhaps we could see a reshaped backline this week.
Should Curtis Jones keep his place at right-back against Aston Villa?
Or is Joe Gomez a better option?
Elsewhere, Giorgi Mamardashvili will probably remain between the sticks unless Alisson recovers in time, while Salah only having a bit-part role likely means Jeremie Frimpong will be used off the right again.
Moving Rio Ngumouha out to the right could work, but we know Slot doesn’t like starting the teenager that often.
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