Five Liverpool stars miss training as Arne Slot faces injury worry ahead of Chelsea clash
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Liverpool FC NewsFeaturesLiverpool FCLiverpool are facing an injury crisis ahead of their Premier League clash with Chelsea, with five first-team players absent from training on WednesdayLiverpool has a few injury concerns(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)Liverpool stars Alexander Isak, Mo Salah, Alisson Becker, Giorgi Mamardashvili, and Ibrahima Konate were all absent from training on Wednesday, leaving manager Arne Slot facing a possible injury crisis ahead of Saturday's home clash with Chelsea.Isak missed last Sunday's 3-2 defeat at Manchester United after sustaining what was described as a minor groin complaint. The striker had only recently made his comeback following nearly four months on the sidelines with a broken leg, and Liverpool has been understandably cautious about taking any risks with their $150+ million acquisition.That caution remained apparent on Wednesday as the squad went through their preparations for the match against Chelsea, who have now suffered six consecutive Premier League defeats.
Slot will speak to the press on Friday to provide a more detailed update on whether Isak will be available to face the Londoners, but the 26-year-old was conspicuously absent from the midweek session alongside several other key first-team players.READ MORE: Darwin Nunez transfer 'agreement' could come at perfect time for Liverpool's Premier League rivalREAD MORE: Liverpool legend pays ultimate tribute to Mohamed Salah ahead of exitSalah picked up a hamstring injury against Crystal Palace last month and, while he is expected to return before the season draws to a close — marking the conclusion of his nine-year Liverpool career — the Egyptian international was likewise missing from training.Salah is reportedly targeting next week's away fixture at Aston Villa as his comeback match, but should nonetheless be available for the Brentford clash at Anfield on Sunday, 24 May.Alisson's hamstring injury continues to keep him out, with the Brazilian now having sat out 10 league fixtures this season. The shot-stopper was expected to return to training last week, according to Slot, but remained unavailable for the United encounter and was absent from Wednesday's outdoor session at the AXA Centre.Alexander Isak is a doubt for Liverpool's upcoming game(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)Ibrahima Konate was missing from training on Wednesday(Image: Mark Cosgrove/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images)Alisson, who has attracted interest from Italian heavyweights Juventus ahead of the summer window, must appear in Liverpool's remaining three fixtures to match his lowest tally of Premier League outings in a single campaign for the Reds - 28, achieved in each of the past two seasons.Mamardashvili also remains out of action, having sustained a knee injury during the Reds' 2-1 triumph at Everton.
Early assessments suggested Alisson's deputy would be ruled out for approximately three weeks.Alisson has a hamstring issue(Image: Nigel French/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)Giorgi Mamardashvili is also injured(Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)The reason behind Konate's absence from training remains unclear. The France international was withdrawn in favor of Federico Chiesa during the closing stages of the Old Trafford defeat.As for Liverpool's longer-term casualties, Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley, Wataru Endo, Giovanni Leoni, Stefan Bajcetic, and Jayden Danns all remain on the treatment table.Choose Liverpool.com as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.Liverpool FCAlexander IsakMohamed SalahAlissonGiorgi MamardashviliIbrahima KonatéArne Slot