Liverpool face a tough week ahead, with key stars Federico Chiesa and Harvey Elliott battling injuries just as the Reds prepare for crucial clashes.
Liverpool face a crucial week, starting with a Champions League opener against AC Milan on Tuesday, followed by a Premier League clash with Bournemouth.
Arne Slot, aiming to bounce back from his first defeat as Liverpool boss (a 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest), has two key injury concerns.
Injury headache for Liverpool: Chiesa and Elliott
Federico Chiesa, sidelined since his £12.5 million move from Juventus, could return against Milan after being eased back into training. Meanwhile, Harvey Elliott remains out with a foot injury sustained during England U21 duty, likely sidelining him until late October.
With a packed schedule ahead, Slot will need his squad at full strength.
Federico Chiesa
Federico Chiesa missed Liverpool’s match against Nottingham Forest. Now, he is continuing to regain full fitness after his £12.5 million move from Juventus last month.
The winger is yet to make his season debut. He was also left out of Italy’s Nations League victories over France and Israel. Liverpool are taking a cautious approach with Chiesa, gradually reintegrating him into the squad as he works towards being match-ready.
Slot said last week:
“Federico has trained with the team now three or four times, so let’s see how he does today and which decision I make because we have more than 20 players for a position.
“I choose the ones that are the fittest at the moment.”
Potential return date: Tuesday, September 17, vs AC Milan
Harvey Elliott
Elliot could be sidelined until the end of October after suffering a foot injury playing for England’s Under-21s. The midfielder’s only appearance for the Reds this season came off the bench in the 2-0 win over Brentford last month.
Liverpool boss Slot said:
“Harvey is of course a big disappointment for him but not only for him, also for us because OK, he didn’t play that much in the first three games but he played a lot in pre-season and he showed himself really well so, of course, if he had stayed fit he would have had a lot of playing time in the upcoming fixtures.
“But now he isn’t [fit] and that also gives the chance to someone else. So it is, first and foremost, a blow for himself, and then also for us because I think availability is important in the stage of the season when we play seven games in 22 days, I think.
“So, it’s a blow for the both of us but he will work as hard as always to come back in the best possible way. He didn’t stay fit unfortunately so he is out for a longer time.”
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