Liverpool team news: Isak and Alisson unlikely for Premier League match against Villa

Liverpool go into Saturday’s Premier League clash with Aston Villa desperate to end a miserable run of six defeats in their last seven games in all competitions, but manager Arne Slot is dealing with a selection headache.

Injured striker Alexander Isak and goalkeeper Alisson have yet to return to training, and Slot told reporters on Friday that he was «99.9% sure (they are) not in the squad on Saturday».

Midfielder Ryan Gravenberch could deliver good news after training on Thursday for the reigning champions of Slot, who, due to his slump, are seven points behind leader Arsenal in seventh place in the standings and are facing a series of tough matches.

«In the final phase of the injury it may go a little slower or it may go faster, but Ryan trained with us yesterday and he will train with us today and then we will decide whether he can start,» said Slot.

Villa have won their last four league matches and are one place behind Slot’s team in the table, but level on points.

Liverpool then host La Liga leaders Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday before traveling to fifth-placed Manchester City on November 9.

The Merseyside team’s troubled start, which included an ugly League Cup fourth-round exit in a 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace on Wednesday, comes despite the club spending 446 million pounds ($599 million) on new recruits in the season.

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However, Slot said he was satisfied with his team.

“We’re not missing anything,” he said. “I am completely happy with the team and all the quality we have, and I am also completely convinced of the strategy and policy we have, but not all of them have had a good preparation or have been injured.

“If three or four are injured, you go back to sixteen players,” Slot added. “You have to keep them fit, just like last season… A few others missed pre-season or suffered injuries during pre-season.

«It was harder than last season to keep them all available. Maybe last season we were more lucky and now we are more unlucky. But there are no excuses for our results before people say this.»

Published on October 31, 2025