Liverpool boss Arne Slot provides injury update on Alisson Becker and Diogo Jota ahead of EFL Cup clash against Brighton & Hove Albion
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has confirmed that Alisson Becker and Diogo Jota will not play in their EFL Cup last-16 tie against Brighton & Hove Albion on Wednesday (October 30).
The Reds initially missed Alisson for two matches across competitions with a thigh injury earlier this season. But, the Brazilian picked up a serious hamstring problem during his team's 1-0 Premier League win against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park earlier this October.
In the following Premier League matchday, Liverpool lost Jota to a rib injury during their 2-1 win over Chelsea at Anfield on October 20. The Portuguese striker came off in the 30th minute of the league game.
Ahead of the Reds' cup match at Amex Stadium, Slot was asked to provide a new update on his team's injury situation. The Dutchman replied (h/t Liverpool Echo):
"Conor [Bradley] is training with us again so he could be in squad tomorrow. Jota not, [Harvey] Elliott not, Alisson not. Federico [Chiesa], I'm not expecting him to be in the squad tomorrow. I don't expect Jota and Elliott to be back until after the November international break."
When asked about Federico Chiesa's condition, Slot responded:
"It's difficult to say, he's sometimes up and down a bit. He trains a few days then goes out again. I don't want to put days or weeks on it. We just want him to be in the best possible shape. No pressure on him."
Liverpool boss Arne Slot says he has no plans to send 27-year-old out on loan next January
Last week, Italian outlet CalcioMercato.it stated that Liverpool could loan Federico Chiesa out in the winter transfer window. Inter Milan, AC Milan, and AS Roma are all keen to sign the attacker next January.
At a pre-match press conference, Arne Slot was queried if Chiesa could be loaned out in the ongoing season. He replied (h/t Liverpool Echo):
"It hasn't gone through my mind at all. First is to get him fit. He missed pre-season and in pre-season, he was in low intensity sessions as he was only training with three or four players. To go to a high intensity league is difficult for every player. It hasn't been perfect yet so we are trying to find the right way to build him up."
Since arriving in a potential £12.5 million move from Juventus earlier this summer, Chiesa has made just three total appearances for the Reds.