Liverpool have been handed a major injury boost ahead of the Manchester City star, while two more injured players are expected to make their return this week.
Arne Slot has also broken his silence on Mohamed Salah’s decision to leave at the end of the season. Meanwhile, a former player has compared Roberto de Zerbi to Jurgen Klopp after the Italian was appointed Tottenham’s new manager.
All that and more in today’s Liverpool news roundup:
Arne Slot confident two players will make Manchester City clash
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot is confident that Mohamed Salah and Federico Chiesa will be available for the FA Cup clash against Manchester City. The duo had withdrawn from international duty after picking up issues at the end of March.
Speaking to the club website on Wednesday, April 1, Slot said that the Egyptian was more than likely to make the matchday squad this weekend. He admitted that the 33-year-old has recovered quicker than expected and said:
“Close, very close. Another example of what makes him special because the moment he got injured there was a bit of a situation where they thought, ‘I don’t think he’s available for City.’ But Mo looked at me and said, ‘I think I will be available for City.'”
“He just does so much for his body for such a long time that he recovers so fast. So, he will train with the team again tomorrow and if everything works well then he’s available to be with us at City.”
Chiesa has trained with the first team this week and will be in the squad for the FA Cup clash. However, Alisson and Jeremie Frimpong are available, and the Dutchman is waiting for the results of his scan.
More good news for Liverpool ahead of FA Cup clash
Alexander Isak will join first team training on Thursday, April 2, ahead of the FA Cup clash against Manchester City on Saturday, April 4. It remains unclear if he will be able to make the squad, but the striker’s return to the grass will be a significant boost as the Reds gear up for a tough month.
Slot confirmed the news about the striker and told the club website:
“I think Alex is in a really good place because Sweden qualified for the World Cup yesterday evening and apart from that he’s going to train with the group again for the first time tomorrow.”
The Swede has been out since December due to a broken leg and underwent surgery.
‘Roberto de Zerbi is the same as Jurgen Klopp’
Former Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana has boldly claimed that Roberto De Zerbi is similar to Jurgen Klopp. He believes that their passion for the game is on the same level, though they are tactically different, and told talkSPORT:
“I always compared him (De Zerbi) with Jurgen, actually. Probably just the passion that they both possess for the game. I think tactically and game mode-wise, they’re completely different. But in terms of love and passion for football, they’re exactly the same.”
Read more: Former Liverpool star reveals the Jurgen Klopp trait he sees in De Zerbi
De Zerbi has been appointed as Tottenham’s new manager on a five-year deal. The Italian will be their third manager of the season, following the sacking of Thomas Frank and the exit of Igor Tudor.
Liverpool vs Chelsea kick-off time changed, and could change again
The Premier League have announced that Liverpool vs Chelsea will kick off at 12:30 pm on May 9 at Anfield. However, there is a chance the game will be rescheduled once again.
While the London side are out of the UEFA Champions League, the Reds are still active and face PSG in the quarterfinals this month. Should Slot’s side beat the defending champions, the Premier League clash against Liam Rosenior’s side will be pushed to 8 pm.
Read more: Liverpool vs Chelsea rescheduled for TV with ‘subject to change’ warning
The match will be played on May 9, regardless of the results, but the timing will depend on the result of Liverpool vs PSG.
Slot heaped praise on Mohamed Salah
Arne Slot has revealed that he knew about Mohamed Salah’s decision to leave the club at the end of the season before the announcement was made. He is delighted to see the praise pouring in for the 33-year-old and told the club website:
“I knew, so it wasn’t new news to me, but I think it was very good to hear and see all the reactions of his teammates, but also from everywhere around the world, for what he has done for this football club and for football in general.”
Read more: Arne Slot breaks silence on Mohamed Salah decision to leave Liverpool
Mohamed Salah has scored 44 goals and assisted 33 times in the 86 games played under Arne Slot. He was the key figure as the Reds won the Premier League title last season.
