NewsArne Slot on Alexander Isak injury and Liverpool team news at Aston Villa
Arne Slot gave an update on squad fitness after Liverpool’s line-up was confirmed against Aston Villa on Friday night.
Jeremie Frimpong was absent and replaced in the starting XI by Joe Gomez, while Alexander Isak also missed the Premier League match.
Mohamed Salah and Florian Wirtz returned to be named on the bench, though, following injury and illness respectively.
Asked about the team news pre-match by Sky Sports, head coach Slot said: “I don’t think it can come as a surprise to anyone.
“Today we miss nine players that can start a game of football. The good thing is that Florian is on the bench, Mo is on the bench. Both not able to start.
“Indeed, Alex is out – minor injury. I think it’s something we all understand, if you miss pre-season, if you then have a broken leg, when you are coming back we’ve been really careful with him.
“But, of course, Hugo Ekitike was injured. And then it’s not a surprise I think that you can pick up minor injuries like this.”
On how pleased he was to have Salah and Wirtz back, Slot added: “A lot, a lot of course. Because these are players that can make a difference for any team, so also for us.
“It’s very nice to have them back, although ideally you are able to start them. But that’s not possible yet.
“I have to give Mo a lot of compliments how fast he is back, because that’s not always a given with the injury he picked up. He worked really hard to be back.
“The same can be said about Flo. Happy that they are here to help the team if needed.”