Liverpool is set to welcome back goalkeeper Alisson Becker against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, a timely lift for Arne Slot’s side after a stuttering run before the international break. The Brazilian is expected to play at Anfield following a seven-week absence with a hamstring injury as the champions seek to regain momentum.
“Alisson will be able to play tomorrow if things work out well today,” Slot told reporters on Friday.
However, both Conor Bradley and Florian Wirtz are sidelined with muscle issues picked up during the break, with Bradley expected to miss three weeks.
Liverpool is eighth in the league on 18 points, eight behind leader Arsenal, and its final game before the international break was a humbling 3-0 defeat to Manchester City. Asked about Liverpool potentially shoring up its squad in January’s transfer window, Slot said that is the last thing on his mind.
“There are so many games to be played before that,” he said. “The only focus we have right now is winning games of football.”
He also shrugged off a question about his team’s chances of retaining the title.
“We are not thinking or talking about it,” the Dutchman said. “Same last season when we were top of the league, it is just about the next game.
“The best way to judge a league table is after 38 games. The next best, in my opinion, is after 19 games. Let’s see where we are then.”
EMOTIONS AROUND DIOGO JOTA
Slot also addressed the emotional impact of losing Diogo Jota, who died in a car crash in July. Scotland captain Andy Robertson said after Scotland beat Denmark 4-2 on Tuesday to qualify for the World Cup that he was “in bits” thinking about his late friend and teammate.
“I saw the interview live and I know that it is an issue for us, which is completely normal,” Slot said. “At this moment in time, I always think about how it must feel for his wife and his children? Because it is so, so, so much harder for them than it is for us. But that we will miss the player and the person is completely clear.”
Forest frustrated Liverpool last season, beating it 1-0 at Anfield, then holding it 1-1 in Nottingham, where substitute Jota got the equaliser.
“It is good for us to remember him at all times,” Slot added. “It is impossible to measure what it does to the players and to our results. (But) the last thing I would do is use it as an excuse.”
