MX23RW : Friday, December 13 14:01:49| >> :120:3641:3641:
[monks data]
Liverpool logo
Premier League | Gameweek 16
Dec 14, 2024 at 3pm UK
Anfield
Fulham logo

Liverpool
vs.
Fulham

Arne Slot confirms double Liverpool injury boost for Fulham as Federico Chiesa plan revealed

Time to rest Salah? Slot confirms double Liverpool injury boost
© Imago
Liverpool manager Arne Slot confirms that Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa could both return to the squad for Saturday's Premier League clash with Fulham.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has announced that Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa should both return to the matchday squad for Saturday's Premier League clash with Fulham.

Following Alisson Becker's comeback in the 1-0 Champions League win over Girona in midweek, Jota (abdominal) and Chiesa (fitness/illness) were expected to be the next off the conveyor belt.

Jota has missed Liverpool's last 11 matches owing to the abdominal problem he sustained against Chelsea in October, but he was back in full training before Liverpool's trip to Girona, which came a little too soon for him.

Meanwhile, Chiesa has played for the Under-21s this month after recovering from long-term fitness problems, but the Italian was also unavailable for the Reds' last European triumph due to illness.

However, Slot confirmed to journalists in Friday's pre-game press conference that Jota and Chiesa are both on track to play this weekend, saying: "I think they are [available].

Could Mohamed Salah be rested when Chiesa returns?

Diogo Jota pictured during Liverpool training on December 9, 2024© Imago

"We have one training session to go. Federico missed quite a lot for a long time, was ill last week, so we have to wait and see how he is exactly doing. But maybe Diogo is in the squad and maybe Federico as well, but that depends a bit on the numbers we have and also how he recovered from his illness."

Chiesa's imminent return could mean a long-awaited rest for Mohamed Salah, who has started all of Liverpool's Premier League and Champions League matches this season, only being cut from the first XI in the EFL Cup.

Salah is showing no signs of fatigue amid his scintillating run of form, though, and Slot has suggested that the EFL Cup quarter-final with Southampton next week could be a more realistic date for Chiesa to make his first senior appearance since September 25.

Asked about his plan to re-integrate Chiesa, Slot replied: "What makes it difficult is that we play so many games. What he needs is playing time and the problem is if you haven't played for five or six months it is sometimes difficult for a manager to give him his first minutes, because you don't exactly know what you can expect.

"Yes, I see him on the training ground, but ideally you see him in a friendly during the week or you see him in an Under-21 game or something like this – but that is not the situation we have, we play so many games.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot pictured on December 4, 2024© Imago

"Maybe the Southampton game might be a good moment for him to get some playing minutes and then we know a bit better what we can expect from him. Of course we see his qualities, we know his qualities but he needs to get this fitness level.

"If you only have training sessions, that is not the same as playing time. You need to have playing time to reach certain fitness levels. But if you are competing for the league and competing in the Champions League it's not always easy to find these minutes, unless we are sometimes 4-0 or 5-0 up.

"But for the whole season I think it was only once, against Bournemouth at home 3-0 up at half-time, for the rest it's been a struggle or a fight until the last second of every game."

Which Liverpool players will miss Fulham clash?

While Jota and Chiesa are in contention to play this weekend, defensive trio Conor Bradley (hamstring), Kostas Tsimikas (ankle) and Ibrahima Konate (knee) are still in the treatment room.

In addition, the Reds cannot call upon Alexis Mac Allister, whose one-game domestic suspension carries over to this weekend following the weather-enforced postponement of last Saturday's Merseyside derby.

Liverpool sit four points clear of second-placed Chelsea at the top of the Premier League table with a game in hand on the Blues.

ID:560516:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect6729:
Written by
Ben Knapton
No Data Analysis info

Click here for more stories about Arne Slot

Click here for more stories about Liverpool

Data Failed

Who will win Saturday's Premier League clash between Liverpool and Fulham?

Liverpool
Draw
Fulham
Liverpool
81.6%
Draw
9.9%
Fulham
8.5%
141
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
 Liverpool can pull 11 points clear of Man City with a win at Anfield on November 27, 2024
Read Next:
Liverpool vs. Manchester City: Why Slot will knock Pep out of the title race
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
1.15am
Rams
@
49ers
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool14112129111835
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1585229151429
4Manchester CityMan City158342721627
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest157441918125
6Aston Villa157442323025
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Brentford157263128323
10Fulham156542220223
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle155551921-220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton143561421-714
16Leicester CityLeicester153572130-914
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich151681427-139
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1523102338-159
20Southampton1512121131-205


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!