Liverpool dealt bittersweet injury news amid Trent Alexander-Arnold update before Real Madird clash

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has revealed captain Virgil van Dijk is available for selection for Sunday's Premier League clash against Southampton.

The Dutchman was allowed to return early from international duty with Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman allaying any fears about a possible injury concern and Slot has confirmed that is the case.

However, the game could come too soon for Trent Alexander-Arnold, who was forced off after 25 minutes in the 2-0 win over Aston Villa almost a fortnight ago, with the issue serious enough for him to withdraw from the England squad for their UEFA Nations League double-header.

The good news is the Reds vice-captain is expected to be back in training fairly soon and the same applies for Diogo Jota and summer signing Federico Chiesa whilst Harvey Elliott is closing in on a return to action having been sidelined since the September international break.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of his side's trip to St Mary's, Slot delivered a lengthy Liverpool injury update.

"Virgil is all good, he's training with us today, Trent isn't training with us yet, but he's getting there so we expect him to be back with us soon,” he said.

"Harvey is training with us again, so that's a positive, he's been out for many weeks but he's on the training ground again with the team so that's a positive for him.

“Jota is still away from the group, the same as Federico who is coming back into the session maybe one exercise today, so they are all expected to be back within now and a few weeks.”

Having said that, Alisson Becker will not be ready to face the Saints despite returning to training during the international break after being absent since suffering a hamstring injury against Crystal Palace at the beginning of October.

“We are careful with everyone, especially when it comes to muscle injuries," Slot added. "He's back in training with the goalkeeping coach, he's not training with the team yet but that's expected to be done soon and then let's wait and see where he is in terms of match fitness.

"He's getting better and better but not ready to play on Sunday."

Slot later revealed that he doesn’t expect to have Alisson or Jota available for next week’s huge games against Real Madrid in the Champions League and then the top-of-the-table Premier League showdown with Manchester City but with Alexander-Arnold it’s going to be “in between”.