Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Elliott - Liverpool injury news and return dates before Southampton

Liverpool head into the international break five points clear at the top of the Premier League and also sitting in pole position in the Champions League group stage. It could hardly have gone better for Arne Slot.

But what has made the new Liverpool head coach's record-breaking start to life in the Anfield hotseat - Slot has won 15 of his 17 games in charge across all competitions - all the more impressive is the fact that he has been without a number of players through injury.

Much has been made of the absences title rivals Manchester City and Arsenal have had to contend with in the opening months of the campaign, but the Reds have also had major issues to deal with of their own.

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The two-week break from club football will hopefully allow Slot to get some bodies back before the season resumes with a Premier League trip to rock-bottom Southampton on Sunday, November 24.

That match is followed by a run on games that sees Liverpool face Real Madrid, Man City, Newcastle United and Everton in the space of 11 days.

So ahead of that mouth-watering run, what is the latest on Slot's walking wounded?

Alisson Becker

Injury: Hamstring

Liverpool's No.1 Alisson Becker has been missing since the 1-0 victory at Crystal Palace on October 5. At the time it was suggested that the hamstring injury he sustained would rule him out for a minimum of six weeks, which would see him return after the international break.

But while Slot has expressed caution in recent weeks, Alisson was present for Sunday's 2-0 home win over Aston Villa and this week dropped a hint on social media that his return to training is near.

And his manager has made clear that when the Brazilian is fully fit, he will regain his place between the posts from Caoimhin Kelleher, who has once again proved to be such an able deputy.

Slot said: “First of all, Alisson needs to become fit. I have always been quite clear, that’s always been the position of Alisson. He is and will be our first goalkeeper if he is fit. But first he needs to be fit.

“But Caoimh has done outstanding, last season and this season again as well but the moment Alisson is fit, he will be our first goalkeeper.”

Possible return date: Southampton (A), Premier League, November 24

Trent Alexander-Arnold

Injury: Hamstring

The victory over Villa did come at a cost with Trent Alexander-Arnold coming off in the 25th minute with an injury that means he has pulled out of the England squad for their UEFA Nations League clashes with Greece and the Republic of Ireland.

Scans have revealed the right-back has suffered a low grade hamstring injury that, while not serious, means he faces a fight to be fit for Southampton, Real Madrid and Man City.

Possible return date: Real Madrid (H), Champions League, November 27

Harvey Elliott

Injury: Foot

The fractured foot Harvey Elliott suffered while on England Under-21s duty has kept the midfielder sidelined since early September.

But he made a significant step up in his recovery on Monday by by playing a full part in a training session with the Reds' U21 squad at the AXA Training Centre.

Elliott, who impressed Slot during pre-season, had initially targeted a comeback after the October international break only for his recovery to last longer than had been initially expected. He will now be keen to make up for lost time.

Possible return date: Southampton (A), Premier League, November 24

Federico Chiesa

Injury: Unknown

Federico Chiesa has now missed Liverpool's last nine matches with an unspecified issue. But there appears to be some light at the end of the tunnel with the Italy international expected to return after the international break.

Slot said on Friday of the summer signing: "I would not use the word concern but it is far from ideal for him and us. Because with the injury of Dioga (Jota) we have four attackers available, so this could have been a great moment for him to get more playing time.

"It is difficult for a player who missed out on pre-season and playing pre-season games and training sessions. You have to give a player more time to get to the intensity levels.

"It is a difficult balance to get him where we want but we are trying and he is trying everything he can to get to these levels.

"Once he is at that physical level we will benefit from having him. At this moment we expect him back during the international break and then he should be with us after the international break normally."

Possible return date: Southampton (A), Premier League, November 24

Diogo Jota

Injury: Upper body

Jota was injured early on against Chelsea on October 20 after he was hauled down near the halfway line by Tosin Adaraiboyo.

The striker hasn't played since and in his press conference on Friday, Slot admitted that the Portugal international looks a major doubt for the massive double header against Real Madrid in the Champions League and Man City in the Premier League after the international break.

Slot said: "We expect him back after the international break. Now, after the international break is six or seven months (of the season) to go!

"He will be back one or two weeks after the international break."

Possible return date: Newcastle United (A), Premier League, December 4