October 18th 2024.
As the highly anticipated match between Liverpool and Chelsea approaches, Liverpool boss Arne Slot is facing a few tough decisions when it comes to selecting his team. Despite their impressive start to the season, Slot admits that the team has some issues to address after the international break.
With six wins out of seven games, Liverpool has been performing exceptionally well under their new manager. However, the upcoming match against an in-form Chelsea side poses a challenge for Slot, especially with the team's recent injuries and a strong performance from Enzo Maresca's team.
One of the major concerns for Liverpool is the absence of their goalkeeper Alisson Becker, who is out with a hamstring injury until next month. This means that Caoimhín Kelleher will have to step in as the replacement for this weekend's game. However, Slot also mentions that there are other players dealing with issues after the international fixtures.
"Alisson will definitely not be with us in the upcoming weeks, which is a blow for him and for us. He has been a key player for this club for many years and has been doing exceptionally well this season," Slot stated in a press conference on Friday.
Despite the setback, Slot remains optimistic as Kelleher has proved himself to be a reliable replacement in the past. However, the manager also acknowledges the importance of having all players available for selection.
"Unfortunately, we have a few issues with players returning from their national teams. We can only assess their condition after today's training session when everyone is back together," Slot explained.
Some of the players who were away on international duty include Alexis Mac Allister, Kostas Tsimikas, and Wataru Endo, who was also sick. Slot hopes to have a clearer picture of the team's fitness after their first training session together.
In addition to the team's injury concerns, Liverpool is also facing contract negotiations with three key players: Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Trent Alexander-Arnold. Their contracts are set to expire next summer, and it would be a major loss for the club if they were to leave for free.
However, Slot did not have any updates on the contract situations, stating that the players were with their national teams and that their performances on the field speak for themselves. He also added that the ongoing contract talks are a positive sign, as it shows the players are performing well.
"As a manager, it's a good thing to see that everyone wants their contracts to be renewed. It means that they are doing well. But unfortunately, I cannot provide any updates on that," Slot said.
The Liverpool vs Chelsea match is highly anticipated, and both teams are expected to put on a great performance. With Liverpool's injuries and ongoing contract negotiations, it will be interesting to see how Slot's team will fare against the strong Chelsea side.
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