Arne Slot confirms Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa status as Liverpool handed double boost

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot says he "thinks" both Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa will be available for this weekend's game against Fulham.

Jota appears to be slightly closer to a return with Chiesa having been ill this week. The Portugal forward has been absent since he went off against Chelsea with a rib injury but both could feature at Anfield on Saturday.

"I think they are [available this weekend]," Slot said during his press conference. "We have one more training session to go, Federico missed a lot for a long time, he was ill last week so we have to see how he is. Maybe Diogo is in the squad, maybe Federico as well but that depends on the numbers and how he's recovered from his illness."

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Jota and Chiesa were both involved in training this week. The former wasn't quite ready to play against Girona midweek while the latter was ill. Both could play a more substantial part against Southampton in the Carabao Cup next Wednesday.

Liverpool could extend its four-point lead at the top of the Premier League table before Chelsea plays Brentford on Sunday if it can beat Fulham at Anfield. Arsenal is in action at the same time as the Reds, hosting Everton, while Manchester City plays Manchester United this weekend at the Etihad Stadium.

Liverpool.com says: Having as many players as possible available will be crucial this season so it is great that a couple of big boosts are coming. Neither Jota nor Chiesa will start against Fulham but they could possibly get a chance from the off against Southampton in the Carabao Cup next week. That seems like the ideal chance.