{"id":5987,"date":"2026-05-08T14:57:30","date_gmt":"2026-05-08T14:57:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=5987"},"modified":"2026-05-08T14:57:30","modified_gmt":"2026-05-08T14:57:30","slug":"arne-slot-confirms-triple-liverpool-return-boost-for-chelsea-with-mo-salah-update","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=5987","title":{"rendered":"Arne Slot confirms triple Liverpool return boost for Chelsea with Mo Salah update"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_5699b0\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">Liverpool manager Arne Slot has delivered an injury update ahead of Saturday&#8217;s home game against Chelsea, with updates provided on Alexander Isak, Mohamed Salah, Alisson and Ibrahima Konate<\/h2>\n<div class=\"Byline_byline-container__K_Owl\" data-testid=\"byline\"><span class=\"Byline_byline-content-wrapper__Imque\" data-testid=\"byline-content\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"Byline_author-badge-date-wrapper__Q7jj1\">\n<p><span class=\"\" data-testid=\"byline-publishedDate\">13:28, 08 May 2026<\/span><span class=\"ArticleTimestamp_updated-date__7qD4Q ArticleTimestamp_updated-date-with-published__iFKpF\" data-testid=\"byline-updatedDate\">Updated 13:47, 08 May 2026<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX ImageEmbed_image-lead__Ti3qQ\" data-testid=\"leadimage\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37095988\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"eager\" sizes=\"(max-width: 508px) 508px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37095988.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_Screenshot-2026-05-01-at-093620.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37095988.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s508\/0_Screenshot-2026-05-01-at-093620.jpg 508w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37095988.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615\/0_Screenshot-2026-05-01-at-093620.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37095988.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_Screenshot-2026-05-01-at-093620.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Arne Slot speaking in a press conference\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Arne Slot speaking in a press conference<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Arne Slot has revealed that Alexander Isak is in contention to return for Liverpool&#8217;s crucial Premier League game against Chelsea on Saturday.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Isak, 26, who has endured a difficult first season at the Reds due to injuries, missed last Sunday&#8217;s defeat at Manchester United after picking up a groin problem in training.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">But the Sweden international could be back for Slot&#8217;s side to face the Blues at Anfield this weekend, with the Reds head coach revealing in his pre-match press conference that he trained with the squad on Thursday.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;Alex trained with us again yesterday for the first time,&#8221; Slot said on Friday afternoon. &#8220;All good. He did parts of it, hopefully he can do parts or everything today and we see how much we are going to use him.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><span data-testid=\"readmore\" class=\"ReadMore_readmore-prefix__xS44r __className_877b99\">READ MORE<!-- -->: <span class=\"ReadMore_readmore-link__eF9pN\">Widow of Matt Beard says ex-Liverpool boss was &#8216;bullied&#8217; before his tragic death<\/span><\/span><span data-testid=\"readmore\" class=\"ReadMore_readmore-prefix__xS44r __className_877b99\">READ MORE<!-- -->: <span class=\"ReadMore_readmore-link__eF9pN\">&#8216;I didn&#8217;t want to leave Liverpool &#8211; but one managerial decision made my mind up&#8217;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FB PAGE!<\/strong> <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><u>Latest Reds news and more on our dedicated Facebook page<\/u><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">As well as issuing an update on Isak, Slot spoke about Alisson, Giorgi Mamardashvili, Mohamed Salah, Ibrahima Konate and Florian Wirtz ahead of facing Chelsea.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Alisson has missed the last matches after injuring his knee, while Mamardashvili deputised for the Brazilian but was stretchered off with his own knee problem in the win at Everton. Salah sustained a hamstring issue against Crystal Palace last month, Konate missed training due to a personal reason and Wirtz has been unwell this week.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;Alisson not yet, Giorgi today for first time,&#8221; the Dutchman, who has often cut a frustrated figure when asked about Liverpool&#8217;s injuries this season, added. &#8220;Mo is very very close like Ali. Ibou had a personal reason for not training on Wednesday but was yesterday and today and Florian was a bit unwell but trained yesterday as well.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-37111325\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37111325\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Mohamed Salah.\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37111325.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-2272440368.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37111325.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_GettyImages-2272440368.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37111325.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_GettyImages-2272440368.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37111325.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-2272440368.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Mohamed Salah is closing in on a return to action\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Mohamed Salah is closing in on a return to action<cite aria-label=\"Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA\/Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt &#8211; AMA\/Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Liverpool host Chelsea looking to all-but secure a place in next season&#8217;s Champions League. Should Slot&#8217;s side beat the Blues, they would move nine points above sixth-place Bournemouth with three games remaining. As the Reds boast a much superior goal difference, qualification for Europe&#8217;s elite club competition would be almost guaranteed.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Speaking about the Reds&#8217; ambitions ahead of facing Chelsea, Aston Villa and Brentford before the end of the season, Slot continued: &#8220;Usually goes hand in hand, good performance leads to results.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;The first and main aim is to qualify for the Champions League and we have shown this season we need a good performance to get results. The opposite has happened where we&#8217;ve had good performances and not a good result, and we&#8217;ve not often had a bad performance and a good result.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;We usually need a good performance to win a game.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><em>Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Mirror Football<\/strong> content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us &#8211; and our partners. If you don&#8217;t like our community, you can check out any time you like. 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Learn more<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-container__JMDzM AffiliateContent_content-details__U6C2M AffiliateContent_has-content-img___LY95\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-content__QCkL9\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_content-image__FxPNL\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Content Image\" fetchpriority=\"auto\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article33404045.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s510b\/0_Sky-Factbox.jpg\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-container__JMDzM\">\n<div id=\"product-description\" class=\"AffiliateContent_section-content__QCkL9\">\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside <!-- -->Formula 1, darts and golf.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Liverpool manager Arne Slot has delivered an injury update ahead of Saturday&#8217;s home game against&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5988,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5987","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-chelsea"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5987","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5987"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5987\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/5988"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5987"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5987"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5987"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}