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Liverpool will be without two players as it looks to get back on track in the Premier League by beating Manchester United this weekend, though two stars have provided a fitness boost.
Ibrahima Konate and Ryan Gravenberch are both fit again after scares on international duty with France and the Netherlands respectively. The pair should be available for selection and are likely to start.
"Ibou has come back to us, started the sessions again, and is expected to train with us today," Arne Slot said in his Friday press conference. Konate did then take part in training later in the day.
Wataru Endo withdrew from international duty with Japan, though no update was provided on him. Gravenberch, meanwhile, was substituted at half-time of the Netherlands' win over Finland last weekend.
"Ryan is completely fit, although we still have to train twice," Slot said. "But if you ask me now, he is completely fit."
Alisson Becker remains sidelined with a hamstring issue, so that means Giorgi Mamardashvili is in line for his second Premier League appearance. And no timescale has been placed on Alisson's return just yet.
"Like I always say, it's so difficult to say because the end phase of rehab can always give you positives or negatives," Slot said. "But he will not play on the weekend and also not next week."
Alexander Isak started Liverpool's last two league matches and played every minute of Sweden's two World Cup qualifiers during the break, though they didn't go well for his country and manager Jon Dahl Tomassen has been fired.
"Fitness-wise, I think Isak is now close to the level he should be and now I think we can judge him in a fair way from now on," Slot said.
Giovanni Leoni is the only long-term absentee. He has undergone surgery on an ACL injury and is set to miss the majority of the rest of the season as a result of that setback sustained on his debut against Southampton.
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"I look forward to every single Premier League game but maybe even more towards the United one, because I know how special it is and I've experienced last season how special a game it is," Slot said.
"We know that it's probably the game that's been watched the most all over the world. It's special to be part of it but in the end it's also a game where we have to be at our best, because United, in my opinion, has had a better start of the season than maybe the league table is showing.
"A very interesting game and a game to look forward to, especially because it's played at Anfield. I think our fans have been so supportive for us as long as I'm here and long before I was here.
"I think they understand that the team that has lost three times in a row, they need to be ready, our team, but I think our fans can help us and will help us on Sunday as well."
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