Five Liverpool first-team players missed training on Wednesday afternoon at the AXA Centre in Kirkby, leaving manager Arne Slot facing an injury crisis ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash with Chelsea at Anfield.
Key Absentees
Among those absent were star striker Alexander Isak, winger Mohamed Salah, goalkeepers Alisson Becker and Giorgi Mamardashvili, and defender Ibrahima Konate. The Reds are preparing to face a Chelsea side that has lost six consecutive Premier League matches.
Isak's Groin Problem
Isak sat out of last Sunday's 3-2 defeat at Manchester United after sustaining a minor groin complaint. The £125 million signing had only recently returned from a four-month layoff due to a broken leg, and Liverpool have been cautious with his recovery. Slot is expected to provide a fuller update on Isak's availability during his Friday press conference.
Salah's Hamstring Injury
Salah has been sidelined since suffering a hamstring injury against Crystal Palace last month. While he is expected to return before the end of the season—which will mark the conclusion of his nine-year Liverpool career—he was not involved in Wednesday's session. Salah is reportedly targeting next week's trip to Aston Villa for his comeback, but he should also be available for the home match against Brentford on May 24.
Alisson's Persistent Problem
Alisson's absence due to a hamstring issue continues; he has now missed 10 league matches this season. The Brazilian goalkeeper was expected to resume training last week, according to Slot, but was unavailable for the United match and took no part in Wednesday's outdoor session. Alisson, who is a target for Juventus, needs to play in all three of Liverpool's remaining games to equal his lowest Premier League appearance tally for the club (28).
Mamardashvili's Knee Injury
Mamardashvili remains unavailable after injuring his knee in Liverpool's 2-1 victory over Everton. Initial reports suggested the goalkeeper would be sidelined for three weeks.
Konate's Absence Unclear
The reason for Konate's absence is unclear. The French defender was substituted in the dying moments of the defeat at Old Trafford, with Federico Chiesa replacing him.
Other Long-Term Absentees
Liverpool also remain without Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley, Wataru Endo, Giovanni Leoni, Stefan Bajcetic, and Jayden Danns due to various injuries.
