Liverpool manager Arne Slot confirmed on Monday that Mohamed Salah is fit and available to play after returning to full training, providing a major boost ahead of a crucial week. However, Salah's future at the club remains uncertain after he announced via social media that this will be his final season at Liverpool. It is understood that Salah will be allowed to leave on a free transfer despite having 12 months remaining on his contract. The 32-year-old missed the Premier League defeat to Brighton before the international break due to injury, according to multiple reports, and was withdrawn from international duty with Egypt to recover for a pivotal week. Slot said he cannot give a clear timeline for Salah's return but hopes for an early comeback, adding that Salah will not join Egypt's national team camp.
Salah's recent form has been a subject of debate. According to multiple reports, he was relegated to the bench for three straight games four months ago. According to Daily Mirror - Main (Source 2), Salah described himself as disappointed and felt the club threw him under the bus after being benched. Since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations, Salah has contributed one goal and three assists in the league, according to multiple reports. He scored his 10th goal of the campaign in the Champions League against Galatasaray, but in his first match since announcing he was leaving, he performed poorly and missed a penalty, according to multiple reports. According to Daily Mirror - Main (Source 3), pundit Ally McCoist described Salah's performance as 'sad' and said he looks a shadow of his former self. Multiple reports indicate that Salah had a bitter public falling out with Slot before the Africa Cup of Nations, but Slot said he has no regrets about his decisions leading up to the dispute.
I was disappointed, I felt the club threw me under the bus.
Alisson is sidelined for the next few weeks and will miss the FA Cup and Champions League games, Slot confirmed. The Brazilian goalkeeper is expected to return towards the end of the season, Slot said, though he also indicated that Alisson has a hamstring injury and could return for the Crystal Palace match, creating some uncertainty over the exact timeline. Liverpool triggered a one-year extension to Alisson's contract until 2027, according to multiple reports, but Slot refused to comment on rumours about Alisson's future. The absence of Alisson leaves Liverpool reliant on backup goalkeepers for key matches.
Florian Wirtz could be available for a few minutes in the FA Cup tie against Wolves, Slot said. Wirtz has been out since an injury in the warm-up before the win over Nottingham Forest on 22 February, according to multiple reports. Slot said Wirtz is key to the team's balance and chance creation, and praised his durability while noting the physical demands of transitioning to English football. However, Wirtz has not recovered from a back injury picked up last month, according to research. Slot said the game against Wolves will probably be too early for Wirtz, and the week after will be tight as things stand. Medical staff hope Wirtz can return for the Champions League trip to Galatasaray next week, according to research. Wirtz has recorded six goals and eight assists in 35 appearances this term.
It's sad to see. He looks a shadow of his former self.
Alexander Isak is back in full training after a broken leg but is not ready to start, Slot confirmed. Isak could be available for a few minutes off the bench against Manchester City, Slot said. Slot added that Isak is closer to returning and has been on the pitch with running shoes for the first time this week. Jeremie Frimpong and Federico Chiesa will train on Friday to determine their availability for Saturday, according to multiple reports. Frimpong had to leave Netherlands' training match against Ecuador as a precaution, according to the Netherlands team doctor. Chiesa is nearing a return and may be available, Slot said. Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni remain long-term absentees, according to multiple reports. Leoni is recovering from a major knee injury suffered on his debut in September, according to research. Wataru Endo underwent surgery and is expected to be ready for the World Cup, Slot confirmed. Giorgi Mamardashvili is out for weeks due to a cut sustained against Everton, Slot said. Frimpong made his return against West Ham as a substitute, according to research, but Slot warned that his minutes must be carefully monitored following a month-long layoff.
Liverpool face Wolves in the Premier League on Tuesday evening, and the two sides meet again in the FA Cup on Friday at the same venue. Liverpool have several key players unavailable due to injury, according to research. Slot dismissed the repetitive schedule as a disadvantage, focusing on the tactical edge. The congested fixture list places additional strain on Liverpool's squad depth, especially with key players like Alisson and potentially Salah sidelined.
Wolves have a fully fit squad to pick from, with Ladislav Krejci back from suspension and Hwang Hee-chan available, manager Rob Edwards confirmed. Andre hobbled off in the win over Villa but is expected to be fine to play against Liverpool, Edwards said. Wolves will look to exploit any weaknesses in a depleted Liverpool side.
There are contradictions in injury reports regarding key players. Alisson's return timeline is unclear: Slot said he is sidelined for weeks and expected back towards the end of the season, but also suggested he could return for the Crystal Palace match in the short term. Mohamed Salah's availability for the weekend match is disputed: Slot stated he is fit and available, but also said he is injured and will miss the weekend Premier League match. Florian Wirtz's return timeline also varies: Slot hopes to have him back next week, but also said the week after will be tight. These discrepancies affect expectations for Liverpool's upcoming matches and squad planning.